Salem is a small town of 6,330 in Indiana, with a median household income of $48,205
and a 1.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Salem stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Salem is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All 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: 94.0
Salem's overall cost of living index is 94.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Salem costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Salem, IN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$132,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$638
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
69.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,205
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Salem's violent crime rate is 167.6 per 100,000 residents
— 56% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
167.6 /100k
Property Crime
299.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Salem is served primarily by Salem Community Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Salem, IN
National Avg
School District
Salem Community Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Salem sees average highs of 41.0°F in January
and 86.6°F in July,
with 46.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 14.1 inches of snow per year.
Salem's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Salem roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $132,800 and median rent is $638/month.
Salem's violent crime rate is 167.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 299.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Salem are operated by Salem Community Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1. 15.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Salem, IN has a population of 6,330, a median household income of $48,205, and an unemployment rate of 1.9%.
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.
Salem averages 41.0°F in January and 86.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.9 inches
with about 14.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Salem, IN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 47167.
The population of Salem, Indiana is 6,330 with a median age of 40.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Salem: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $132,800, median household income $48,205, crime index 32 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Salem side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
