Belmont, VA vs Salem, VA

The cost of living difference between Belmont, VA and Salem, VA is dramatic. Salem is 128.2% cheaper than Belmont, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belmont has a cost index of 191 while Salem sits at 84, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Belmont is $2,853/month compared to $1,046/month in Salem — a 173% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Salem is more affordable at $244,800 median vs $807,100.

Median household income in Belmont is $232,879 compared to $66,716 in Salem (+249.1%). While Belmont is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belmont spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Salem.