Salem, Virginia
Among the top 18% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 47% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 52% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 39% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 82% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 60% of US places
- top 10% for sales tax
- top 10% for park & nature access
Salem is a mid-size city in Virginia with about 25,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and C for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include sales tax, park & nature access, and commute time. It rates lower on property crime and violent crime.
Official websitesalemva.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Hot summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Light snow
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70%58%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.5 in3.2 in
humid 93%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$68k59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 53% of US places
Home Value$232k67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 37% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 35% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.96%better than 52% of US places
Income Tax5.80%better than 36% of US places
Sales Tax5.77%better than 90% of US places
Estimated total tax burden10.95%better than 36% of US places
Unemployment3.5%better than 53% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)37°F65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)77°F58th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation46.9 in66th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall14.8 inbetter than 54% of US places
Sunny Days232 daysbetter than 49% of US places
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 44% of US places
Comfortable Days81 daysbetter than 47% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk56.1better than 63% of US places
Air Quality43 AQIbetter than 64% of US places
School Quality59.5better than 52% of US places
Violent Crime1265/100kbetter than 25% of US places
Property Crime1728/100kbetter than 25% of US places
Community
Population25,37294th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age40.849th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2759th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9236th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2045th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)83.5%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)7.8%81st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.8%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.8%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.1%53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 90% of US places
Walkability10.7/20better than 88% of US places
Airport Distance120 mibetter than 28% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.6%better than 51% of US places
Amenities Nearby29.17better than 28% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 90% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Salem an affordable place to live?
- Salem is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 53% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Salem?
- The median home value in Salem is $232k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Salem?
- Median household income in Salem is $68k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Salem?
- Median gross rent in Salem is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Salem safe?
- Salem is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1265/100k (better than 25%). Property crime is 1728/100k.
- What is the weather like in Salem?
- Salem averages 77°F in July and 37°F in January, with 46.9 in of annual precipitation and about 232 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Salem?
- Public-school quality in Salem is about average, scoring better than 52% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Salem?
- The average one-way commute in Salem is 19 min.
Places near Salem
Compare Salem
Explore Virginia
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)