Salem

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Salem, OR

Area Guide

Experience the timeless character of Oregon’s capital city

College Bike-Friendly Nature Outdoors Dining Food Rail Service Amtrak Government Wineries

Welcome to Salem, Oregon's capital city nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Home to 179,331 residents, Salem combines historic architecture with contemporary living. The rental market remains stable, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,197, reflecting a 2% annual increase. Notable areas include the State Capitol district and West Salem across the Willamette River. The city's parks system features the 1,200-acre Minto-Brown Island Park and Bush's Pasture Park, while Willamette University adds to the community's educational landscape.

Salem embraces its heritage as the "Cherry City," celebrating its agricultural roots through community gatherings like the Salem Saturday Market. The downtown area features the historic Elsinore Theatre and its preserved pipe organ, while the Hallie Ford Museum of Art showcases regional artists. The Riverfront Carousel stands as a beloved local landmark. Housing options span from downtown apartments to residential developments in South Salem and Northeast Salem. The Capitol Mall area continues to add new housing while maintaining easy access to the city's parks and amenities.

Explore the City

The Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem

Enjoy amazing hikes near Salem

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Salem, OR is $1,246 for a studio, $1,198 for one bedroom, $1,393 for two bedrooms, and $1,881 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Salem has increased by 0.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,198/month
659 Sq Ft
House
$2,198/month
1,342 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,381/month
785 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,222/month
1,355 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Salem, OR

Transportation

60

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

35

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

72

Very Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

This area is very bikeable. You’ll find a variety of bike paths and lanes.

Schools

Myers Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

344 Students

Morningside Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

324 Students

Brush College Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

307 Students

Schirle Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

304 Students

Bush Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

254 Students

Judson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

810 Students

Leslie Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

743 Students

Crossler Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

798 Students

Parrish Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

670 Students

Straub Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

561 Students

Sprague High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,779 Students

West Salem High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,733 Students

South Salem High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,256 Students

North Salem High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,239 Students

Mckay High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,311 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Bush's Pasture Park
  • Straub Environmental Learning Center
  • A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
  • Eola Bend Park
  • Minto Island Park

Top Apartments in Salem

Houses for Rent in Salem

Property Management Companies in Salem, OR

Living in Salem

Restaurants

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Salem is located right in the middle of some of the best farmland in the country, and the menus of local restaurants reflect that well. The farm-to-fork culinary movement is clearly in evidence in the majority of Salem's dining establishments. Almost every restaurant in Salem has it's own signature berry dessert because of the abundance of berry farms in the area. The Willamette Valley is also known for its orchard fruits such as peaches, apples, pears, and cherries.

Salem is located within a half hour's drive from the Yamhill-Carlton wine district, and several area wineries feature fine dining on their premises. Coffee culture is also strong in Salem, with a good selection of independent roasters and eclectic, locally owned coffee shops. Salem is also home to some good microbreweries.

Transportation

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Like all cities in Western Oregon, Salem is a bicycle-friendly community with many bike paths, with many residents choosing to bike to work. The Cherriots bus system serves all parts of town as well as provides transportation to the rural communities of Marion County. The downtown area is laid out in one-way grids, making and there are several parking garages for shoppers or those who work in the downtown area. As the state capitol of Oregon, Salem has many government offices, most of which are conveniently located in the downtown area.

Shopping

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Downtown Salem has many locally owned retail stores that feature one-of-a-kind items. The Reed Opera House lies in the heart of downtown Salem and features unique retail establishments, eateries, bars, and an elegant ballroom. Pringle Park Plaza is several blocks south of downtown Salem and offers locally owned bookstores, clothing and jewelry outlets, and houses another of Salem's local institutions, the Salem Cinema. Other shopping options include the Lancaster Mall in southeast Salem and the many retail stores on south Salem's Commercial Street.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.