Lima, OH vs Salem, OH

Lima, OH and Salem, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Lima scores 65 while Salem scores 63 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lima is $865/month compared to $771/month in Salem — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Salem has cheaper rent, Lima actually has lower median home values ($95,900 vs $117,400).

Median household income in Lima is $43,370 compared to $50,250 in Salem (-13.7%). 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 Lima spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Salem.