In Salem, a typical home is worth $106,100 and typical rent is $774 a month. Compared with all of Marion County, the share of households that own their home is 10 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $113,411 to $147,060.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Salem is in Marion County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Marion County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Centralia, the typical home value is $89,600: 16% less than in Salem ($106,100).
2
65% of households in Salem own their home, against 75% in Marion County.
3
Salem has the 24th lowest typical rent of the 331 cities in Illinois with more than 5,000 people ($774).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Salem
What homes there are in Salem, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Salem
Marion County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Marion County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
74%
72%
58%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
1%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
11%
5%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
6%
22%
19%
Mobile home
7%
17%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is the most common home in Salem: 74% of homes, near the figure in Marion County (72%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Salem
Marion County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Marion County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
39%
33%
38%
26%
1960–1979
34%
29%
26%
24%
1980–1999
20%
23%
20%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
9%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
6%
6%
11%
In Salem, half of the homes were built before 1969; in Marion County, before 1973.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K46%
$100K–$200K36%
$200K–$300K15%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Under $100K
46%
$100K–$200K
36%
$200K–$300K
15%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50021%
$500–$99952%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $930
$1,000–$1,49920%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Under $500
21%
$500–$999
52%
$1,000–$1,499
20%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Marion County is $930; about 66% of rents in Salem are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,093 a month
Marion County: $1,206 a month
Without a mortgage
$551 a month
Marion County: $522 a month
Owners with a mortgage
60%
Marion County: 51%
Owning costs less in Salem: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,093 a month; in Marion County, $1,206. Without one, $551.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Salem+35%
Marion County+32%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Salem+25%
Marion County+23%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Salem+48%
Marion County+29%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Marion County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+35%
+32%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+25%
+23%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+48%
+29%
+27%
+29%
Much as in Marion County, the typical home value in Salem rose 35% since 2015–2019.
Rents in Salem rose at about the same pace as in Marion County: 25% since 2015–2019, against 23%.
Income in Salem grew faster than housing: it rose 48%, while home values changed +35% and rent +25%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Marion County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.2%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.24
2.33
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
85%
83%
66%
69%
Carpool
8%
10%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
5%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Marion County, a household in Salem has 2.24 people on average.
In Salem, 85% of workers drive alone to work; in Marion County, 83%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Salem?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Salem, worth $106,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 20% of the typical household income in Salem, which is $59,728 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Marion County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Salem. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $3,714 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$984
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$104,178
Total interest
$149,887
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $1,792 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,394 a month
Your payment · 20%
Tight
$1,394 to $1,792 a month
Hard
more than $1,792 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Salem ($59,728 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$706
Property tax
$187
Home insurance
$44
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$47
You need at least $3,714 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $984; principal and interest $706.
The city and its county
Salem and Marion County
Salem is in Marion County, Illinois. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Salem
Map of Marion County, Illinois, with Salem marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Salem
Marion County
Other cities with a page
Salem's own numbers
Typical home value
$106,100
Typical monthly rent
$774
Typical yearly household income
$59,728
Households that own their home
65%
Effective property tax rate
2.12%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Marion County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$930
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+53%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Marion County.
A typical home in Salem is worth $106,100: 3% above the county and 60% below Illinois. With the typical household income in Salem ($59,728 a year), a typical home costs 1.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Salem1.8 years
Marion1.7 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Marion County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Marion County rose 70% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Marion County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Marion County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.3% +2.3% 2016
2017: −3.0% −3.0% 2017
2018: +5.2% +5.2% 2018
2019: +2.0% +2.0% 2019
2020: +4.5% +4.5% 2020
2021: +6.8% +6.8% 2021
2022: +14.1% +14.1% 2022
2023: +15.1% +15.1% 2023
2024: +2.9% +2.9% 2024
2025: +6.2% +6.2% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Marion County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.2%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+53%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+70%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Salem next to Marion County, Illinois and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Salem$106,100
Marion$103,000
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Salem$774
Marion$794
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Salem$59,728
Marion$61,240
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Salem next to Marion County and Illinois
Measure
Salem
Marion County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$106,100 ▲3% above the county
$103,000
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$774 ▼3% below the county
$794
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$59,728 ▼2% below the county
$61,240
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
65% ▼10 points below the county
75%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,253 ▲28% above the county
$1,759
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
2.12% ▲0.41 points above the county
1.71%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
39% ▼3 points below the county
43%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Marion County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Salem
For a typical $106,100 home in Salem, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Salem's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$984a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$3,714
Cash to close
$6,897
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $47
Conventional, 5% down$965a month
Down payment
$5,305
Cash to close
$8,488
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $50
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$807a month
Down payment
$21,220
Cash to close
$24,403
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$905a month
Down payment
$15,915
Cash to close
$19,098
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Salem
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$984
$3,714
$104,178
7.18%
FHA MIP · $47
$6,897
580
Conventional, 5% down
$965
$5,305
$100,795
7.18%
PMI · $50
$8,488
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$807
$21,220
$84,880
7.18%
None
$24,403
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$905
$15,915
$90,185
8.18%
None
$19,098
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Salem is $774 a month: 3% below the county. In Salem, 39% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Marion County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($930 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $17.88 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Marion County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$661
$12.71
$26,440
1 bedroom
$767
$14.75
$30,680
2 bedrooms
$930
$17.88
$37,200
3 bedrooms
$1,210
$23.27
$48,400
4 bedrooms
$1,554
$29.88
$62,160
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Salem
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Salem is in ZIP code 62881.
For 2 bedrooms it is $930: the same as the fair market rent for Marion County.
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Salem, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
62881
$660
$770
$930
$1,210
$1,550
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
62881 $930$1,210
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Salem when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Salem. These are the largest.
Meadow Lark Manor1 Glenwood Acres, Salem 62881130 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Marion County · Average payment: $422 a month · Average wait: 5 months · Homes at several sites(618) 532-1894
Mills Crossing Apts600 Mills Cart Rd, Salem 6288142 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2002 · For families
Glenwood Acres II536 Roddy Rd, Salem 6288139 low-income homes · For older adults(618) 548-3019
Manor at Salem Woods411 S Hotze Rd, Salem 6288140 homes, 24 low-income · Studio: 25 · 1 bd: 15 · In service since 2008 · For older adults
Downtown Apartments200 N Jefferson St, Salem 6288124 low-income homes · For families(217) 342-4050
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Marion County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Salem or Marion County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Salem the same as in the rest of the state.
IHDA second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance, for the down payment in Illinois.Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Salem or Marion County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Salem and all of Marion County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Salem?
The typical home value in Salem is $106,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Marion County it is $103,000.
How much does it cost to rent in Salem?
Typical rent in Salem is $774 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Marion County is $930.
What is the FHA loan limit in Salem?
Salem uses the FHA limit for all of Marion County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Salem?
The typical homeowner in Salem pays $2,253 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.12% of the home’s value; in Marion County, the rate is 1.71%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Salem?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Marion County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
