
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Salem, MA from $600 (60 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Salem.


The Residences at St. James

Salem Heights

Salem Highlands

160 Federal St

366 Essex St

233 Lafayette St

256 Washington

Historic 1 Harbor St

260 Washington St
Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

1 Harbor St

Fairweather Apartments (Age 62+ Community)

The Lighthouses

327 Jefferson Ave

143 Canal St

122 Boston

Fairfax

Park Towers

245 Elliott St

20 Central St
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

11 Porter St

Total Monthly Price
2 Johnsons Ter

BayView Apartments

145 Munroe St

38 Estes St

77 Green St

585 Essex St

31 Mugford St

1 Kingsley Terrace

2 Kingsley Terrace
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Get the local scoop! ApartmentHomeLiving's Boston Expert reveals the best neighborhoods to rent for employees of UMass Boston, Mass General Hospital, State Street, and more.

76 Lowell St

4 Kingsley Terrace

119 Lewis St

33-35 Essex Ct

542 Eastern Ave

44 Estes St

44 Estes St

44 Estes St

16 Franklin Pl

44 Estes St
Explore Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Boston
Explore Boston like a local with our guide to neighborhoods, history, and hidden gems. Discover the city's best apartments, from historic brownstones to modern high-rises, and find your perfect Boston home.

138 Franklin St

55 Broad St

44 Estes St

38 Estes St

38 Estes St

16 Nicholson St

236 Euclid Ave

17-19 Bowditch St

The Vault

Terrace Gardens
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Salem, MA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Salem?
| Bedroom | Average Price | Cheapest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Salem Studio Apartments | $1,843 | $1,100 | $2,734 |
| Cheap Salem 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,485 | $1,450 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap Salem 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,922 | $1,600 | $5,151 |
| Cheap Salem 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,181 | $2,400 | $4,900 |
| Cheap Salem 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,682 | $3,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Apartments in Salem
See all Apartments in SalemExplore Salem
Salem, MA Local Guide

- Salem Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Salem, MA
Pricing Updated: 04/05/2026Current apartment rentals in the Salem, MA area range in price from to with an overall median price of . Here is today’s list neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Salem Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Salem | $4,900 | $1,400 | 21 |
| North Shore | $5,400 | $1,100 | 972 |
Cheapest Available Salem Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Salem, MA is a Studio unit found at The Residences at St. James in the South Salem neighborhood priced from $1,400. BayView Apartments in the East Lynn neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,595. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Salem apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Residences at St. James | Studio 60% | Studio,1BA | $1,400 |
| BayView Apartments | 66 Basset St Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,595 |
| Salem Highlands | Studio, non-renovated | Studio,1BA | $1,700 |
| 50 Broadway Apartment Homes | Studio A | Studio,1BA | $1,780 |
| Mosaic | 0 Beds, 1 Baths | Studio,1BA | $1,800 |
| River Drive Apartments | S1G | Studio,1BA | $1,850 |
| The Vault | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $1,900 |
| Historic 1 Harbor St | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,900 |
| 256 Washington | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,900 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Salem, MA
As of April 05, 2026 the best value apartment in the Salem area is the $0.28 price per square foot 1004 Paradise Rd Model at 1004 Paradise Rd, Unit 3N in the in the South Salem neighborhood starting from $2,800. The second greatest value Salem apartment is the 24 Chapman St Model at 24 Chapman St, Unit 2 starting at $4,500 with a $1.80 price per square foot in the Centerville neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Salem apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1004 Paradise Rd, Unit 3N | 1004 Paradise Rd | 2BR,1.5BA | $0.28 |
| 24 Chapman St, Unit 2 | 24 Chapman St | 5BR,2BA | $1.80 |
| 84 Endicott St, Unit 1-R | 84 Endicott St | 3BR,1BA | $1.94 |
| 41 Collins St, Unit 2 | 41 Collins St | 4BR,1BA | $2.12 |
| 13 Mulberry St, Unit #2 | 13 Mulberry St | 3BR,1BA | $2.14 |
| 23 Gardner St | 23 Gardner St | 2BR,1BA | $1.86 |
| 13 Becket St, Unit 2 | 13 Becket St | 2BR,1BA | $1.91 |
| 30 Henry Ave, Unit 3 | 30 Henry Ave | 3BR,1BA | $2.07 |
| Eagle Rock Apartments at Swampscott | B1 | 2BR,2BA | $1.99 |
| 6 Berry St, Unit 1 | 6 Berry St | 2BR,1BA | $2.00 |
10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease
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Read ArticleBoston Neighborhood Guide: Living Near UMass, MGH, and State Street
Get the local scoop! ApartmentHomeLiving's Boston Expert reveals the best neighborhoods to rent for employees of UMass Boston, Mass General Hospital, State Street, and more.
Read ArticleDon't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
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Read ArticleThe Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
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Read ArticleCash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting
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Read ArticleTop Neighborhoods Near Boston Colleges and Universities
Learn About the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near College Campuses in Boston, MA | Find Boston Off-Campus Student Housing at ApartmentHomeLiving.com
Read ArticleQuick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
Salem Overview
Salem has the feel of a small, compact town. Here, friendly residents celebrate together in the summer and stick together during blustery winters. This town's rich history and placement near Boston makes it a great place for both city commuters and people longing for a quieter life.
Why live in Salem, MA?
Salem has a reputation as a great home for young, energetic people. They come for Salem State University and stay for the creative scene, exciting history, and dynamic local businesses. However, this city also has a lot to offer busy professionals and families. It's close enough to commute to Boston, but decidedly more budget-friendly than the big city. Salem boasts a gorgeous waterfront, numerous museums and galleries, and centuries of history lying around every corner just waiting to be explored. Salem has a magic that turns visitors into residents, and residents into longtime locals.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Salem, MA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Salem, MA
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Salem Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Salem?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Salem is under $1,900.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Salem?
The cheapest apartment in Salem is The Residences at St. James which is listed at $1,725, while the average apartment in Salem costs $5,150.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Salem?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 34 regular apartments in Salem that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Salem?
Cheap apartments in Salem have an average cost of $179 which is $4,971 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Salem.
Expert Rental Resources
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Helpful Local Expert Guides

The 10 Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston, MA
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Boston is known for its exciting combination of early American history and modern high-tech universities and employers.

A Local Experts Guide to the Top Boston Neighborhoods for College Renters
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hi! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston, Massachusetts! We’re excited to help you find your new home, and getting to know the neighborhood is an important part of that process!

Explore Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Boston
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hello from Boston, Massachusetts! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston, and I’m here to give you the inside scoop on this unique city.

Boston Major Employer Neighborhood Guide: Living Near UMass, MGH, & State Street
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hi! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston, Massachusetts. Getting to know your new neighborhood is one of the best parts of moving, and we’re excited to help you get started.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property
Written by: Lauren Harrington
Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment
Written by: Bob Mallory
Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.