Harrisonburg, VA vs Salem, VA

Salem is moderately more affordable than Harrisonburg, with a 6.9% lower cost of living index. Harrisonburg scores 90 compared to 84 for Salem, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harrisonburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harrisonburg is $1,120/month compared to $1,046/month in Salem — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Salem is more affordable at $244,800 median vs $278,200.

Median household income in Harrisonburg is $59,752 compared to $66,716 in Salem (-10.4%). Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Harrisonburg spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Salem.