Cost of Living in Salem, NJ

With a cost of living index of 72, Salem, NJ is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 28% cheaper than the national average and 56% below the New Jersey state average of 128. Salem is a smaller community of 5,315 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Salem's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $992 (25% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $69,300 (77% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 1.7x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Salem is $40,650, which is 46% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 29% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.