Salem 61 Average
Salem Livability #462 ranked city in New Jersey#17,533 ranked city in the USARanks better than 40% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Salem

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

  • Housing Housing

    High-priced homes, limited home affordability and an unstable real estate market featuring below-average home prices might contribute to this area's low housing score.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in Salem?

Located in the state of New Jersey, Salem is a small-sized city with a population of 4,860 people. The median age of all Salem residents is 32, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Salem is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 36%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Salem, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 27 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Salem is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in New Jersey, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Salem and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, housing and other important metrics.

Salem has a livability score of 55/100 and is ranked #522 in New Jersey and #23,375 in the USA. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Salem has received high marks for cost of living (B-). There are some categories that Salem ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D), employment (F) and housing (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Salem is real estate affordability. The median home price for Salem homes is $104,489, which is 81.2% lower than the New Jersey average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Salem, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 39.2% lower than the New Jersey average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Salem

See all the best places to live around Salem

How Do You Rate The Livability In Salem?

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Compare Salem, NJ Livability

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      Salem transportation information

      Statistic Salem New Jersey National
      Average one way commute27min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.4%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.8%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.4%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.4%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home7.0%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Salem, NJ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.