Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Salem, Oregon.
Median Home Price
$375K
Population
179K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,380
Property Tax Rate
0.93% *
* Property tax shown is the Oregon state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Salem.
Salem vs Oregon Median
The median home price in Salem is $375,000, which is 22% below the Oregon state median of $480,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Salem, OR
Pre-filled with Salem median home price and Oregon tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $375K home using Oregon's 0.93% tax rate and $1,400/yr insurance.
5% Down
$2,867/mo
Down: $18,750
Loan: $356K
P&I: $2,252
Tax: $291
Insurance: $117
PMI: $208
10% Down
$2,737/mo
Down: $37,500
Loan: $338K
P&I: $2,133
Tax: $291
Insurance: $117
PMI: $197
20% Down (No PMI)
$2,303/mo
Down: $75,000
Loan: $300K
P&I: $1,896
Tax: $291
Insurance: $117
Income needed (28% rule): $99K/year with 20% down, $117K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Salem
Rent
$1,380/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$2,737/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 22.6 — At a ratio above 20, renting may be more economical in Salem for shorter stays. Buying costs $1,357 more per month than renting, and it typically takes 5-7 years to break even on the transaction costs of buying.
The median home price in Salem is $375,000, 22% below the Oregon state median of $480,000. With a population of 178,510, Salem is a mid-size city where home prices tend to be more accessible than in many parts of Oregon.
Property taxes in Oregon average 0.93% annually. This moderate property tax rate means a $375,000 home in Salem would carry roughly $291/month in property taxes. Homeowners insurance in Oregon runs approximately $1,400 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in Salem is $1,380/month. With a price-to-rent ratio above 20, renting could be more economical in the short term — use our Rent vs Buy calculator to model your specific timeline.
Salem presents moderate affordability. The $375K median puts homeownership within reach for median-income households, though down payment savings and closing costs require planning.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Salem.