Rows tagged local are specific to Salem (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Roanoke, VA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 8/10 (district Salem City Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.2
metro-area
#42 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
97.1
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.19
metro-area
#40 of 200 metros
Median household income
$68,402
local
#2281 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,656
local
#2449 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
42.8 years
metro-area
#179 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
30.6%
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
5.3%
metro-area
#159 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
68.7%
metro-area
#60 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.54%
local
#775 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-0.6%
local
#2455 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$231,900
local
#847 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#1144 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.8%
metro-area
#34 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$116
local
#712 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,999 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,053
local
#560 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,243
Median days on market
13
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.5%
state
#160 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
5.73%
state
#12 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.75%
Capital gains tax
5.75%
state
#130 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.96%
local
#1570 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,219
local
#797 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
74.5 years
metro-area
#160 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.2%
metro-area
#73 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
97
metro-area
#22 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#141 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$80
state
#64 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
3.97% of value (~$1,112/yr)
state
#197 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#133 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
77.9%
metro-area
#143 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
29.7%
metro-area
#81 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.4¢/kWh
state
#112 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$156
state
#112 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$103
state
#97 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#67 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#51 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
50.1 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#2 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
40
metro-area
#40 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,900
metro-area
#102 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
25
metro-area
#95 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
87°F
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
28°F
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
45.5"
metro-area
#129 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
8.8"
metro-area
#107 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
200
state
#7 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,500
state
#32 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
16
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Parks
19
Hiking areas
5
Golf courses
11
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.