Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of Indiana, Salem is a small city with a population of 6,193 people. The majority of Salem residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Salem is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Salem, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Salem could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Indiana if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Salem and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing and other important metrics.
The livability score in Salem is 60 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 41st percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the US average, this city has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Salem has higher than average rankings for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (B+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Salem. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (D).
The unemployment rate in Salem has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 0.99%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Salem apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Salem is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Salem come in at $93,900, which is 25.8% lower than the Indiana average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Salem, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 0% lower than the Indiana average.
| Statistic | Salem | Indiana | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.6% | 83.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 14.1% | 8.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.7% | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.6% | 3.5% | 4.6% |
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