Salem, OR
Looking to move to Salem, OR? You’ve come to the right place. Livability helps people find their perfect places to live, and we’ve got everything you need to know to decide if moving to Salem, OR is right for you.
Let’s start with the basics: Salem, OR has a population of 177101. What about cost of living in Salem, OR? The median income in Salem, OR is $65,231 and the median home value is $355,941.
Read on to learn more about Salem, OR, and if you’d like some tips and advice for making your big move, check out our Make Your Move page, where you’ll find all kinds of stories and insights including How to Start Over in a New City, Tips for Getting to Know a New City Before You Move and so much more.
Why You’ll Love Living in Salem, Oregon
Nestled in the Willamette Valley, Salem, Oregon, offers the perfect balance of urban and rural sensibilities. The region’s rich farmland is ripe with produce, orchards and vineyards, which translates to fresh fare in area restaurants and farmers markets. Salem is the state capital, making the government the largest employer in the city, and it is part of the Portland metro area, which means residents won’t do without any big city amenities. You’ll find numerous parks, gardens, museums, wineries and historic sites throughout the city, as well as year-round events.
Thinking of moving to Salem, OR? Keep scrolling to find all the details about living in Salem, including quick facts such as the population, median home value and property taxes. Plus, learn more about the cost of living and quality of life in Salem, from the economy and job opportunities to weather, outdoor activities and things to do, including local restaurants and points of interest.
What Makes Salem, OR, a Best Place to Live in 2024
Residents in Salem, OR, can enjoy a perfect balance: big-city amenities and tight-knit communities. Part of the Portland metro area, located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Salem is both the capital of Oregon and a city with a treasure trove of things to do.
Neighbors come together for gatherings like the annual World Beat Festival, which celebrates more than 70 nations and cultures through music, dance and food. Friends can catch up at any number of local breweries, cideries and famed Willamette Valley wineries.
Getting around town (and the state) is easy, too. In fact, multimodal transportation options are among the reasons why Salem is one of the best places to live in the U.S. The city’s Cherriots public transportation system is moving closer to a goal of an all-electric fleet by 2040. Plus, with miles of trails and the Winter-Maple Neighborhood Greenway that connects Salem Parkway to downtown, Salem is a place that prioritizes being bikeable and walkable. On top of all that, Amtrak Cascades makes daily round trips to Eugene, Portland, Seattle and other destinations, so you can leave your car parked at home.
Residents also have plenty of fun ways to spend their downtime, from sampling the local culinary scene from food trucks at Beehive Station to catching a comedy show or concert at the historic Elsinore Theatre, which opened in the 1920s as a silent movie house and vaudeville theater.
The area’s rich farmland is ripe with vegetables, orchards and vineyards, which translates to fresh fare in area restaurants and farmers markets. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do, too. Salem is home to numerous parks, and its location along the Willamette River means there are plenty of water activities to participate in, too.
Salem, OR Quality of Life LivScore
Salem, OR Top Categories
Environment
Transportation
Amenities
Salem ranks highest for environment, transportation and amenities.
Weather and Outdoor Activities in Salem, OR
The weather in Salem is not too hot and not too cold; it’s really just right. The average highs and lows are 80°F and 78°F (summer) and 49°F and 34°F (winter).
The average annual snowfall in Salem is relatively low, at less than 6 inches per year.
The average annual rainfall in Salem is around 40 inches.
Salem averages 155 sunny days a year.
Minto-Brown Island Park is more than 1,200 acres and has 29 miles of trails for biking, walking or jogging. Bring your pup because there’s a 30-acre off-leash dog park for the ultimate zoomies session.
Things To Do in Salem, OR
Pack a picnic to enjoy at Riverfront Park along the Willamette River. The park is like the community’s living room and hosts all kinds of events, from holiday tree lightings to 4th of July celebrations and summer movies in the park.
Take a $2 ride on Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. In addition to the majestic horses, whimsical characters include a duck, a dragon and a llama.
Salem’s water is considered some of the best-tasting H2O in the Pacific Northwest. The Willamette Valley sources all of its water from the Willamette River, the largest river in America, entirely contained in one state.
Dine and shop downtown at the recently renovated Reed Opera House. The circa 1870 brick building is full of cute shops and restaurants, spanning from plant specialists and hat stores to sushi and an Italian bakery focused on cannoli.
Bo & Vine, which serves smash burgers, a variety of fry piles (think nachos, but with French fries), and – get this – a wine shake with pinot gris, strawberry puree and Tillamook vanilla ice cream, with a crown of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
Salem is home to several live and performing arts venues, including the Pentacle Theatre for community theater and the Elsinore, which hosts a variety of comedy and musical acts. Salem Cinema makes for a great date night (or solo date) spot. The theater shows independent and foreign films.
Archive Coffee & Bar is a coffee shop by day and a craft cocktail bar by night. The obvious order is an espresso martini made with house-made coffee liqueur and Archive’s espresso. But other tasty drinks are on the menu, like an old fashioned with Japanese whisky and half a dozen mocktails.
The Local and State Economy in Salem, OR
Salem is home to a wide range of industries and private employers. Some of the significant sectors fueling the economy are trade, transportation and utilities, as well as health services and education. Major employers include the State of Oregon and Salem Health.
Oregon has no state sales tax, and no local sales taxes apply in Salem.
Yes, Oregon has a state income tax.
Salem’s Salem Hospital is one of the best Hospitals in Oregon and is a high performer in cancer-related specialties. Other providers include Salem Health West Valley, Oregon State Hospital and Kaiser Permanente.
Salem is home to Willamette University.
Weather in Salem, OR
Average Temperatures
63 High / 42 Low
Average Annual Rainfall
40 Inches
Average Annual Snowfall
6 Inches
Quick Facts about Salem, Oregon
- Median Home Value
- $356,731
- Median Property Tax
- $2,673
- Total Population
- 179,142
- Average Commute
- 18 min
- Median Household Income
- $71,170
- Median Rent per Month
- $1,029
Map of Salem, OR
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