Salem

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Salem, OR

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Experience the timeless character of Oregon’s capital city

College • Bike-Friendly • Nature • Outdoors • Dining • Food • Rail Service • Amtrak • Government • Wineries •

Salem is home to the historic Willamette University, with its beautiful campus located right downtown next to the state capitol. The university regularly hosts concerts by the Oregon Symphony, art shows, theater productions, and other popular cultural events. The majestic capitol building, flanked by daffodils and cherry blossoms, overlooks Downtown and creates a stunning centerpiece for the city.

Salem is an excellent place for folks who love the outdoors, offering endless opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and kayaking both in the city (Bush’s Pasture Park, Riverfront Park) and nearby (Silver Falls State Park). The city is also positioned right in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, and the Salem Wine Trail is a popular circuit of local vineyards that locals love as much as visitors. Salem hosts a full roster of major events and celebrations throughout the year, with the biggest being the Oregon State Fair, which draws thousands of people from around the state every August.

Explore the City

The Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem

Enjoy amazing hikes near Salem

Rent Trends

As of December 2024, the average apartment rent in Salem, OR is $1,223 for a studio, $1,167 for one bedroom, $1,380 for two bedrooms, and $1,759 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Salem has increased by 0.9% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,167/month
661 Sq Ft
House
$2,385/month
1,520 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,368/month
835 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,068/month
1,143 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Salem, OR

Transportation

60

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

35

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

72

Very Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

This area is very bikeable. You’ll find a variety of bike paths and lanes.

Schools

Morningside Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

324 Students

8
out of 10

Pringle Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

499 Students

7
out of 10

Sumpter Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

477 Students

7
out of 10

Grant Community School

Public

Grades K-5

424 Students

7
out of 10

Myers Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

344 Students

7
out of 10

Judson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

810 Students

5
out of 10

Leslie Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

743 Students

5
out of 10

Crossler Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

798 Students

4
out of 10

Parrish Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

670 Students

4
out of 10

Straub Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

561 Students

4
out of 10

Sprague High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,779 Students

9
out of 10

West Salem High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,733 Students

8
out of 10

South Salem High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,256 Students

7
out of 10

Mckay High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,311 Students

5
out of 10

North Salem High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,239 Students

4
out of 10
School data provided by GreatSchools    The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.

Points of Interest

Shopping Centers

Parks and Recreation

  • Bush's Pasture Park
  • Straub Environmental Learning Center
  • A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
  • Eola Bend Park
  • Minto Island Park

Commuter Rail

Military Bases

Colleges

Top Apartments in Salem

Eastpark Apartment Homes

Eastpark Apartment Homes

114 Greencrest St NE,
Salem, OR 97301

$1,245 - $1,960 | Studio - 3 Beds

Gateway Village Apartments

Gateway Village Apartments

1900 Madras St SE,
Salem, OR 97306

$1,335 - $1,850 | 1-3 Beds

Encore Apartments

Encore Apartments

5861 Reed Ln SE,
Salem, OR 97306

$1,410 - $1,430 | 1 Bed

Cappella

Cappella

4752 Liberty Rd S,
Salem, OR 97302

$1,425 - $1,715 | 1-2 Beds

Acero West Salem

Acero West Salem

1948 Linwood Rd NW,
Salem, OR 97304

$1,490 - $2,736 | 1-2 Beds

Northplace Apartment Homes

Northplace Apartment Homes

5115 Countryside Dr NE,
Salem, OR 97305

$1,199 - $2,255 | Studio - 3 Beds

Rivenwood

Rivenwood

424 Center St NE,
Salem, OR 97301

$1,280 - $2,560 | Studio - 2 Beds

Willamette Park

Willamette Park

825 Harritt Dr NW,
Salem, OR 97304

$1,500 | 2-3 Beds

Reserve at Hawk's Ridge

Reserve at Hawk's Ridge

1569 Whitaker Dr SE,
Salem, OR 97317

$1,399 - $2,299 | 1-3 Beds

Houses for Rent in Salem

1150 Northwood Dr NE

1150 Northwood Dr NE,
Salem, OR 97317

1 Bed | 1 Bath | $1,000

5080 10th Pl S

5080 10th Pl S,
Salem, OR 97306

6 Beds | 3 Baths | $3,200

5017 Geoff St S

5017 Geoff St S,
Salem, OR 97306

2 Beds | 2 Baths | $1,850

720 Fairview Ave SE

720 Fairview Ave SE,
Salem, OR 97302

5 Beds | 2.5 Baths | $2,750

2575 San Francisco Ct NE

2575 San Francisco Ct NE,
Salem, OR 97305

3 Beds | 2 Baths | $2,395

3655 Marlin Ct SE

3655 Marlin Ct SE,
Salem, OR 97302

4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | $2,800

View More Houses for Rent in Salem

Property Management Companies in Salem, OR

Norris & Stevens, Inc.

  • 40

    Communities

  • 4,083

    Units

  • 19

    Cities

13 Communities in Salem
SMI Property Management

  • 18

    Communities

  • 1,253

    Units

  • 11

    Cities

8 Communities in Salem
Commercial & Residential Management Group

  • 37

    Communities

  • 5,377

    Units

  • 19

    Cities

7 Communities in Salem
SVN International Corp

  • 45

    Communities

  • 3,239

    Units

  • 20

    Cities

6 Communities in Salem
Montagne Development, Inc.

  • 10

    Communities

  • 1,379

    Units

  • 4

    Cities

5 Communities in Salem
Affinity Property Management

  • 61

    Communities

  • 7,682

    Units

  • 24

    Cities

3 Communities in Salem

Living in Salem

Restaurants

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Salem is located right in the middle of some of the best farmland in the country, and the menus of local restaurants reflect that well. The farm-to-fork culinary movement is clearly in evidence in the majority of Salem's dining establishments. Almost every restaurant in Salem has it's own signature berry dessert because of the abundance of berry farms in the area. The Willamette Valley is also known for its orchard fruits such as peaches, apples, pears, and cherries.

Salem is located within a half hour's drive from the Yamhill-Carlton wine district, and several area wineries feature fine dining on their premises. Coffee culture is also strong in Salem, with a good selection of independent roasters and eclectic, locally owned coffee shops. Salem is also home to some good microbreweries.

Transportation

-

Like all cities in Western Oregon, Salem is a bicycle-friendly community with many bike paths, with many residents choosing to bike to work. The Cherriots bus system serves all parts of town as well as provides transportation to the rural communities of Marion County. The downtown area is laid out in one-way grids, making and there are several parking garages for shoppers or those who work in the downtown area. As the state capitol of Oregon, Salem has many government offices, most of which are conveniently located in the downtown area.

Shopping

-

Downtown Salem has many locally owned retail stores that feature one-of-a-kind items. The Reed Opera House lies in the heart of downtown Salem and features unique retail establishments, eateries, bars, and an elegant ballroom. Pringle Park Plaza is several blocks south of downtown Salem and offers locally owned bookstores, clothing and jewelry outlets, and houses another of Salem's local institutions, the Salem Cinema. Other shopping options include the Lancaster Mall in southeast Salem and the many retail stores on south Salem's Commercial Street.

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