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ToolsCheapest NearSalem

Affordable Alternatives to Salem

Cities ranked by lifestyle match — walkability, job market, and cost of living — not just the cheapest price tag.

COL Index97100 = US avg
1BR Rent$1,450/mo
Walk Score42/100
State Income Tax9.9%

Best overall alternatives

Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity — not just cheapest price.

Best Match
🌽 Lincoln
Nebraska, NE
11% cheaper
vs. Salem
COL 86
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,150/mo
Monthly savings$300/mo
Walk score36/100
Median income$57K/yr
DetailsCompare
🌽 Des Moines
Iowa, IA
10% cheaper
vs. Salem
COL 87
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,200/mo
Monthly savings$250/mo
Walk score36/100
Median income$62K/yr
DetailsCompare
🌻 Toledo
Ohio, OH
16% cheaper
vs. Salem
COL 81
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,050/mo
Monthly savings$400/mo
Walk score42/100
Median income$46K/yr
DetailsCompare

Moving to Lincoln saves you $300/mo. Put it to work while you plan.

High-yield savings accounts — top rates today

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Openbank logo
Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY
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Peak Bank logo
Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
See reviewOpen account

Eliminate Oregon's 9.9% state income tax

These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $11,880/year back in your pocket — before factoring in the lower COL.

🌮 Laredo
No income tax
COL 79
1BR $950/mo
19% cheaper
🌮 El Paso
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $1,050/mo
18% cheaper
🤠 Amarillo
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $950/mo
18% cheaper
🤠 Lubbock
No income tax
COL 81
1BR $1,000/mo
16% cheaper

More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back

No-annual-fee credit cards — earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase logo
Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
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Citi
Citi Custom Cash® Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
☐ Compare renters insurance →☐ Auto insurance for your new state →

More affordable metros

All other established metros cheaper than Salem, sorted by cost of living.

🎵 Jackson, MS
COL 791BR $1,000/moSave $450/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎯 Springfield, MO
COL 791BR $950/moSave $500/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare
⚙️ Montgomery, AL
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $400/mo on rent16% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎷 Shreveport, LA
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $450/mo on rent16% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🏁 Fort Wayne, IN
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $450/mo on rent16% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🐎 Tulsa, OK
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $400/mo on rent16% cheaper
DetailsCompare

Salem at a glance

97
COL index
100 = US avg
$1,450
1BR rent
per month
$380K
Home price
median
9.9%
State tax
income

Cities with similar cost of living

Charleston, SCCOL: 97Madison, WICOL: 97St. Paul, MNCOL: 97Missoula, MTCOL: 97

COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS · Walk scores: Walk Score® · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only