Salem, Oregon
In Salem, Oregon, a gallon of regular gas costs $4.96 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.89 above the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,644, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Salem's cost-of-living index of 102 puts it above the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$4.96
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,644
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$17.84
Combo meal
Electricity
14.66¢
per kWh · ~$132/mo
Car Insurance
$148/mo
$1,780/yr
Median Household Income
$74,624
35.9% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,780 in Salem. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Salem residents actually pay.
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,644/mo in Salem. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.17 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$8.37 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$7.12 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$2.06 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.66 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$12.03 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.44 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.86 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.32 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$3.00 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.35 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.79 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$5.01 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$6.51 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.86 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.11 | $5.17 | +25.8% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.90 | $8.37 | +21.3% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.92 | $7.12 | +20.3% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.59 | $2.06 | +29.6% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.41 | $5.66 | +28.3% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.67 | $12.03 | +38.8% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.95 | $5.44 | +37.7% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.12 | $4.86 | +18.0% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.54 | $5.32 | +17.2% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.33 | $3.00 | +28.8% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.82 | $2.35 | +29.1% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.61 | $7.79 | +38.9% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.20 | $5.01 | +19.3% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.75 | $6.51 | +37.1% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $6.45 | $8.86 | +37.4% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$17.84
Casual Dining
$34.94
Monthly Spend
$584.13
+3.65% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $11.06
$17.84
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $12.49
$19.27
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $13.38
$19.98
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $5.67
$7.88
+39.0%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Salem?
Average 1BR: $1,348/mo · 2BR: $1,940/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
171k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,207
$63k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$75k
household median
Employment by Sector — Salem
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$64k/yr
~$50k/yr
~$60k/yr
~$26k/yr
~$73k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 41047
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$1,630/wk · $85k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$497/wk · $26k/yr
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