CostIndexUSA

Greenville, SC vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSC
Greenville
93.3
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Greenville is moderately cheaper than Salem — 11.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Greenville, you would need $88,800 in Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+43.6%
Greenville
76.8
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries+9.3%
Greenville
96.3
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation+2.0%
Greenville
103.2
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.0%
Greenville
93.4
Salem
95.3
Utilities+17.9%
Greenville
88.8
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Greenville to see what you'd need to earn in Salem to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$88,800
$8,800 more needed in Salem

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 1.1104. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Greenville, SC

Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Salem has 43.6% higher housing costs compared to Greenville.

Income & Job Market

Greenville, SC

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
72,885
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyAutomotiveFinance

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Greenville, SC
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.