Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Salem, OR

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Salem are Northeast Neighbors, South Salem, and North Lancaster. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Salem, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of December 12, 2025, the average rent in Salem is $1,198, which is 0.8% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.

Northeast Neighbors

Average Rent

$1,151/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.7%

TransitScore® Rating

44/100

Units Available

19 Rentals

Northeast Neighbors is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Northeast Neighbors is $1,151 while the city average is $1,198. This is a 0.7% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Bush's Pasture Park, Chemeketa C.C., Salem Campus, and Chemeketa C.C., Yamhill Valley. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 69.

South Salem

Average Rent

$1,204/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.6%

TransitScore® Rating

27/100

Units Available

10 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Salem neighborhood on a budget, check out South Salem. The average rent is $1,204, compared to the city average of $1,198. Rent prices have increased by 1.6%. South Salem is convenient to Chemeketa C.C., Yamhill Valley, Straub Environmental Learning Center, and Minto Island Park. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 68.

North Lancaster

Average Rent

$1,215/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.2%

TransitScore® Rating

41/100

Units Available

13 Rentals

North Lancaster is an affordable neighborhood in Salem with an average rent price of $1,215. Compare this to the city average of $1,198. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 0.2%. North Lancaster provides easy access to Chemeketa Community College Planetarium, Cascade Gateway Park, and Chemeketa C.C., Yamhill Valley. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 74.

Morningside

Average Rent

$1,225/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.8%

TransitScore® Rating

32/100

Units Available

26 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Salem, Morningside might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,225, while the city’s average stands at $1,198. In the last year, prices have increased by 0.8%. Morningside is near Straub Environmental Learning Center, Eola Bend Park, and Western Oregon University.

Northeast Salem

Average Rent

$1,251/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.2%

TransitScore® Rating

31/100

Units Available

21 Rentals

Northeast Salem is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Northeast Salem is $1,251 while the city average is $1,198. This is a -0.2% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Straub Environmental Learning Center, State Street Crossing, and Willamette University. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 62.

Hayesville

Average Rent

$1,287/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.6%

TransitScore® Rating

38/100

Units Available

41 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Salem neighborhood on a budget, check out Hayesville. The average rent is $1,287, compared to the city average of $1,198. Rent prices have decreased by 0.6%. Hayesville is convenient to Chemeketa Community College Planetarium, Chemeketa C.C., Salem Campus, and Oak Park Plaza. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 60.

South Gateway

Average Rent

$1,335/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.1%

TransitScore® Rating

31/100

Units Available

20 Rentals

South Gateway is an affordable neighborhood in Salem with an average rent price of $1,335. Compare this to the city average of $1,198. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 1.1%. South Gateway provides easy access to Bush's Pasture Park, EAWEST Development, and Minto Island Park. It’s a somewhat walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 55.

Southeast Salem

Average Rent

$1,338/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.2%

TransitScore® Rating

33/100

Units Available

10 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Salem, Southeast Salem might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,338, while the city’s average stands at $1,198. In the last year, prices have increased by 1.2%. Southeast Salem is near Straub Environmental Learning Center, Eola Bend Park, and Bush's Pasture Park.

Four Corners

Average Rent

$1,347/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.7%

TransitScore® Rating

5/100

Units Available

17 Rentals

Four Corners is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Four Corners is $1,347 while the city average is $1,198. This is a 0.7% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Western Oregon University, A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village, and Bush's Pasture Park. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 63.

East Lancaster

Average Rent

$1,420/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

4.3%

TransitScore® Rating

18/100

Units Available

21 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Salem neighborhood on a budget, check out East Lancaster. The average rent is $1,420, compared to the city average of $1,198. Rent prices have increased by 4.3%. East Lancaster is convenient to Straub Environmental Learning Center, Chemeketa C.C., Yamhill Valley, and A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 70.

Ready to make your move to Salem? Check out the rent specials, price drops, and great deals on ApartmentFinder.com!

Methodology

Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.

We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.