The Salem metro is home to 435,085 people (up 4.3% over five years), with a median household income of $76,010. Typical rent of $1,646/month works out to 26.0% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Salem's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 23.2% |
| Retail trade | 11.9% |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% |
| Professional & management | 9.0% |
| Construction | 8.8% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 26.0% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Salem market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,646/month suggests a household income around $66,000/year. The metro's median household income is $76,010.
By workforce share: Education & health care (23.2%), Retail trade (11.9%), Manufacturing (9.2%) (Census ACS 5-year).