North Salem is a small town of 542 in Indiana, with a median household income of $70,179
and a 2.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 95 (US average = 100), which is
5% below the national average.
Strengths:
North Salem stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether North Salem is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All North Salem city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 94.6
North Salem's overall cost of living index is 94.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in North Salem costs roughly 5% less than the average American city.
Metric
North Salem, IN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$155,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$950
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
83.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$70,179
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
North Salem's violent crime rate is 125.1 per 100,000 residents
— 67% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
125.1 /100k
Property Crime
993.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
North Salem is served primarily by North West Hendricks Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.2:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
North Salem, IN
National Avg
School District
North West Hendricks Schools
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
28.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
North Salem sees average highs of 34.0°F in January
and 83.1°F in July,
with 43.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 14.0 inches of snow per year.
North Salem's cost of living index is 95, where 100 is the national average.
That makes North Salem roughly 5% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $155,800 and median rent is $950/month.
North Salem's violent crime rate is 125.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 993.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in North Salem are operated by North West Hendricks Schools.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.2:1. 28.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
North Salem, IN has a population of 542, a median household income of $70,179, and an unemployment rate of 2.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
North Salem averages 34.0°F in January and 83.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 43.3 inches
with about 14.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
North Salem, IN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 46165.
The population of North Salem, Indiana is 542 with a median age of 36.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in North Salem: cost of living index 95 (100 = US average), median home $155,800, median household income $70,179, crime index 39 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare North Salem side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
