In Salem, a typical home is worth $605,700 and typical rent is $1,592 a month. Compared with all of Utah County, the typical home value is 12% higher, typical household income is 10% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 25 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $515,214 to $600,193.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Salem is in Utah County. The FHA loan limit ($601,450 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Utah County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
94% of households in Salem own their home, against 68% in Utah County.
2
Nearby, in Payson, the typical home value is $429,600: 29% less than in Salem ($605,700).
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
Utah County
Utah
United States
Kind of home: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Utah County
Utah
United States
Detached house
91%
64%
67%
61%
Attached house
6%
11%
8%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
7%
7%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
16%
16%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Salem: 91% of homes, more than in Utah County (64%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Salem
Utah County
Utah
United States
Year built: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Utah County
Utah
United States
Before 1960
5%
10%
15%
26%
1960–1979
13%
15%
20%
24%
1980–1999
22%
23%
26%
25%
2000–2009
22%
22%
18%
14%
2010 or later
38%
29%
21%
11%
Here half of the homes date from 2005 or later; in Utah County, from 2001 or later.
There is more room for a big family here: 94% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 78% in Utah County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K28%
$500K–$750K39%
$750K–$1M19%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
28%
$500K–$750K
39%
$750K–$1M
19%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$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
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$2,217 a month
Utah County: $2,115 a month
Without a mortgage
$648 a month
Utah County: $570 a month
Owners with a mortgage
77%
Utah County: 73%
Owning costs about the same in Salem as in Utah County: with a mortgage, $2,217 a month; without one, $648.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Salem+83%
Utah County+76%
Utah+75%
United States+53%
Typical rent
SalemNo clear change
Utah County+45%
Utah+44%
United States+33%
Typical household income
SalemNo clear change
Utah County+35%
Utah+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Utah County
Utah
United States
Typical home value
+83%
+76%
+75%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+45%
+44%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+35%
+33%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Salem rose 83%; in Utah County, it rose 76%.
The typical rent in Salem stayed about the same over that time: the difference is within the Census margin of error.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Salem and its comparisons
Measure
Salem
Utah County
Utah
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.7%
5.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.6%
0.6%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.9%
3.1%
3.4%
People per household
3.48
3.39
2.97
2.53
Drive alone
76%
65%
67%
69%
Carpool
9%
10%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
3%
Work from home
14%
19%
18%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
By size, households in Salem look like those in Utah County: 3.48 people on average.
To get to work, 76% of workers in Salem drive alone; in Utah County, 65%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Salem?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Salem, worth $605,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 52% of the typical household income in Salem, which is $111,117 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $204,483 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Utah 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 $21,200 (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
$4,771
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$594,729
Total interest
$855,675
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $10,229 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,593 a month
Tight
$2,593 to $3,334 a month
Hard
more than $3,334 a month
Your payment · 52%
Compared with the typical household income in Salem ($111,117 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$4,029
Property tax
$222
Home insurance
$252
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$268
You need at least $21,200 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 $4,771; principal and interest $4,029.
The city and its county
Salem and Utah County
Salem is in Utah County, Utah. 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 Utah County, Utah, with Salem marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Salem
Utah County
Other cities with a page
Salem's own numbers
Typical home value
$605,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,592
Typical yearly household income
$111,117
Households that own their home
94%
Effective property tax rate
0.44%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Utah County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$601,450
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,363
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.5%
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 Utah County.
A typical home in Salem is worth $605,700: 12% above the county and 24% above Utah. With the typical household income in Salem ($111,117 a year), a typical home costs 5.5 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.
Salem5.5 years
Utah5.4 years
Utah5.1 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Utah County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Utah County rose 119% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Utah County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Utah County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +7.6% +7.6% 2016
2017: +8.7% +8.7% 2017
2018: +8.5% +8.5% 2018
2019: +7.1% +7.1% 2019
2020: +5.1% +5.1% 2020
2021: +19.3% +19.3% 2021
2022: +20.7% +20.7% 2022
2023: −0.1% −0.1% 2023
2024: +4.0% +4.0% 2024
2025: +2.8% +2.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Utah County, Utah and the United States
Period
County
Utah
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.8%
+2.4%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+54%
+53%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+119%
+121%
+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 Utah County, Utah and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Salem$605,700
Utah$538,700
Utah$489,400
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Salem$1,592
Utah$1,541
Utah$1,496
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Salem$111,117
Utah$100,671
Utah$95,166
United States$80,734
See the full table
Salem next to Utah County and Utah
Measure
Salem
Utah County
Utah
U.S.
Typical home value
$605,700 ▲12% above the county
$538,700
$489,400
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,592 ▲3% above the county
$1,541
$1,496
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$111,117 ▲10% above the county
$100,671
$95,166
$80,734
Households that own their home
94% ▲25 points above the county
68%
70%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,668 ▲13% above the county
$2,370
$2,525
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.44%
0.44%
0.52%
0.94%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Utah 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 $605,700 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$4,771a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$21,200
Cash to close
$39,371
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $268
Conventional, 5% down$4,660a month
Down payment
$30,285
Cash to close
$48,456
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $288
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,757a month
Down payment
$121,140
Cash to close
$139,311
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$4,317a month
Down payment
$90,855
Cash to close
$109,026
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
$4,771
$21,200
$594,729
7.18%
FHA MIP · $268
$39,371
580
Conventional, 5% down
$4,660
$30,285
$575,415
7.18%
PMI · $288
$48,456
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,757
$121,140
$484,560
7.18%
None
$139,311
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$4,317
$90,855
$514,845
8.18%
None
$109,026
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 $1,592 a month: 3% above the county.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Utah County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,363 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.21 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 Utah County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,186
$22.81
$47,440
1 bedroom
$1,192
$22.92
$47,680
2 bedrooms
$1,363
$26.21
$54,520
3 bedrooms
$1,887
$36.29
$75,480
4 bedrooms
$2,278
$43.81
$91,120
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 84653.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,420: $57 more than the fair market rent for Utah County ($1,363).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Salem, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
84653
$1,240
$1,240
$1,420
$1,970
$2,370
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
84653 $1,420$1,970
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)
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.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Utah County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Salem or Utah County. The ones below are statewide in Utah: they work in Salem the same as in the rest of the state.
Utah state agency second mortgage for the down payment or closing costs alongside its first mortgage: up to 6% of the loan with monthly payments, or up to 3.5% at 3.5% with deferred interest and no payments; capped at $27,500.Offered by Utah Housing Corporation (UHC).
Utah state loan, run by Utah Housing, of up to $20,000 with no interest or monthly payments for the down payment, closing costs or a lower rate; only for first-time buyers of a newly built home with a Utah Housing mortgage.Offered by Utah Housing Corporation (UHC).
No legal help resource on our list is for Salem or Utah 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 Utah 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 $605,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Utah County it is $538,700.
How much does it cost to rent in Salem?
Typical rent in Salem is $1,592 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Utah County is $1,363.
What is the FHA loan limit in Salem?
Salem uses the FHA limit for all of Utah County (2026): $601,450 for a one-unit home and $1,156,650 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Salem?
The typical homeowner in Salem pays $2,668 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.44% of the home’s value; in Utah County, the rate is 0.44%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Salem?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Utah County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
