Cheap Apartments for Rent in Salem, MA from $900 (21 Rentals)

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143 Canal St
2 Bedroom Apartments

143 Canal St

143 Canal StSalem, MA 01970
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University Square
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

University Square

136 Canal StSalem, MA 01970
  • Utilities Included
property at 585 Essex St

585 Essex St

LynnMA01901

Boston's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Boston and the best places to live around the area with original content written by our Boston, MA Local Expert Amelia Ramstead

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2 Main Street
Studio Apartments

2 Main Street

2 Main StPeabody, MA 01960
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Cobbet Hill
1 Bedroom Apartments

Cobbet Hill

498 Essex StLynn, MA 01902
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Floating Bridge Pond
2 Bedroom Apartments

Floating Bridge Pond

627-631 Eastern AveLynn, MA 01902
  • Utilities Included

Salem, MA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Salem, MA

Pricing Updated: 03/25/2025

Current 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:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
North Shore$3,575$1,05014918
North Salem$3,700$1,350911

Cheapest Available Salem Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Salem, MA is a Studio unit found at THE ESSEX in the Central neighborhood priced from $1,550. BayView Apartments in the East Lynn neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,600. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Salem apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
THE ESSEX0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,550
BayView Apartments66 Studio ClassicStudio,1BA$1,600
The Vault0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,800
Peabody Place, LLC.1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,899
The Oxford Lynn1 Bed - 061BR,1BA$1,950

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Salem, MA

As of March 26, 2025 the best value apartment in the Salem area is the $0.24 price per square foot 85 Timson St Model at 85 Timson St, Unit #1 in the in the East Lynn neighborhood starting from $2,400. The second greatest value Salem apartment is the 2BR/1.0BA Model at THE ESSEX starting at $2,225 with a $0.22 price per square foot in the Central neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Salem apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
85 Timson St, Unit #185 Timson St2BR,1BA$0.24
THE ESSEX2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$0.22
150 Allen Ave, Unit 1150 Allen Ave3BR,3BA$1.87
35 Pacific St, Unit #235 Pacific St2BR,1BA$1.73
7 Hancock St, Unit 17 Hancock St3BR,1BA$2.07
23 Gardner St23 Gardner St2BR,1BA$1.86
Eagle Rock Apartments at SwampscottB12BR,2BA$2.43
8 Elm St, Unit #18 Elm St2BR,1BA$2.08
56 Broad St, Unit #256 Broad St1BR,1BA$2.10
9 Carlton St, Unit #39 Carlton St2BR,1BA$2.20

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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

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Getting Around Salem, MA

Walk Score®

84 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

62 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

34 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

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 $1,950.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Salem?

The cheapest apartment in Salem is Peabody Place, LLC. which is listed at $1,899, while the average apartment in Salem costs $3,637.

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 626 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 $117 which is $3,520 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Salem.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

decorative image for The 10 Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston, MA article

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.

decorative image for Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money article

Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money

Written by: Amber Kanuckel

With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.

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Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.

decorative image for Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting article

Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting

Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD

While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.