Cost of Living in Salem, UT

Population 9,893 · Utah · Data vintage 2023

159
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Salem is a smaller Utah community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $107,617 and housing costs ($547,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Salem sits roughly 13 miles south of Provo. Median home values run roughly 25% higher than Provo's $437,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 179
Rent 129

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Salem

The median home value in Salem is $547,000 — 79% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,691/month, 29% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $107,617/year is 44% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Utah's top state income tax rate is 4.5% and the combined sales tax is 5.9%. The climate averages highs of 64.9°F and lows of 44.4°F, with about 51.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Salem has a cost of living index of 159 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 59% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$547,000
79% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$583,414
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,691/mo
29% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.0x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$737
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,036
3 BR
$1,418
4 BR
$1,699
Owner-occupied 94.0%
Renter-occupied 6.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,691
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,305/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
24.2 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.5%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
13.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.5%
Total Sales Tax 5.9%
State rate 4.8%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$107,617
44% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,916
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
17% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.9%
Graduate degree 12.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 28.6
Male median age 29.9
Female median age 26.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.9°F
Avg Low
44.4°F
Annual Precip
15.5"
Annual Snowfall
51.9"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394555627384949281665139
Low °F 242936425059686756443325
Precip" 1.431.301.752.161.820.950.490.581.061.261.321.40
Snow" 12.710.75.92.90.10.00.00.00.00.57.012.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
55.1%
Good air days/yr
104
Max AQI recorded
132
PM2.5 days
231
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Salem, UT?

Salem has a cost index of 159 (100 = national average). It is 59% above the national average.

What is average rent in Salem, UT?

The median gross rent in Salem is $1,691 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Salem?

The median home value in Salem is $547,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Salem?

The median household income in Salem is $107,617 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Salem, UT?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Salem is 5.9%. The Utah state income tax top rate is 4.5%.

Is Salem, UT affordable?

Salem is above average in cost of living, with an index of 159 — about 59% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Salem?

Salem has average high temperatures of 64.9°F and average lows of 44.4°F. Annual precipitation is 15.5". Average annual snowfall is 51.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Salem at a Glance

Population
9,893
Median Income
$107,617
Home Value
$547,000
Median Rent
$1,691/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
64.9°F
Sales Tax
5.9%
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🗺️ County data for Utah

Explore county-level cost of living data

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