How many renters in Salem, MO pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Salem, MO, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

42.5% (±14.8 points) of renting households in Salem, MO spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

22.1% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 27.8% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 42.5% (±14.8 points)
Paying 35% or more: 22.1% (±9.5 points)
Median share of income: 27.8% (±3.2 points)

Rent as a share of income in Salem

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Salem	Dent County	Missouri	United States
Less than 15%	15.0% (±9.2 points)	19.8%	15.2%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	11.6% (±7.1 points)	11.5%	14.0%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	13.6% (±5.6 points)	11.9%	13.5%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	17.5% (±12.7 points)	15.8%	11.8%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	20.4% (±11.3 points)	18.2%	9.0%	9.2%
35% or more	22.1% (±9.5 points)	22.8%	36.6%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Salem against Dent County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Salem	Dent County	Missouri	United States
Paying 30% or more	42.5% (±14.8 points)	41.0% (±12.7 points)	45.6% (±0.6 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	22.1% (±9.5 points)	22.8% (±8.4 points)	36.6% (±0.5 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	27.8% (±3.2 points)	27.2% (±3.4 points)	28.1% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$28,532 (±$9,441)	$29,302 (±$6,438)	$43,288 (±$509)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$639 (±$163)	$660 (±$118)	$1,033 (±$6)	$1,413

In Salem, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Dent County (41.0%).

It is not measurably different from Missouri (45.6%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).

Statewide, it ranks 446 of 1,105.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Salem

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Salem
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Salem	—	42.5% (±14.8 points)	—
Sherrill Township	18 mi	54.4% (±21.0 points)	Not measurably different
Edgar Springs	19 mi	16.7% (±99.3 points)	Not measurably different
Licking	20 mi	64.6% (±22.5 points)	Not measurably different
Bunker	22 mi	42.9% (±69.1 points)	Not measurably different
Jackson Township (Texas County)	23 mi	50.4% (±24.9 points)	Not measurably different
Viburnum	23 mi	77.1% (±40.0 points)	Not measurably different
Rolla	25 mi	51.3% (±6.6 points)	Not measurably different
Steelville	25 mi	47.7% (±26.6 points)	Not measurably different

None of the nearby places differs measurably from this one on this figure.

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Salem

Are renters in Salem rent-burdened?

42.5% of renting households in Salem pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Salem spend on rent?

The median renting household in Salem, MO spends 27.8% (±3.2 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Salem city, Missouri (place:65234, in state:29).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.