What it's like to live in Salisbury
Salisbury is a small city in Maryland with home prices that remain within reach, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Salisbury deals with household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, a poverty rate above the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Affordable home prices
- Short commutes
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- High poverty rate
- High rent burden for renters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Salisbury compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Salisbury
Based on Salisbury's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,636
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $52,720 a year
- 53% of Salisbury renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$45,460
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $22,730
- Homes cost 3.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,318/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,318 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices here are genuinely accessible, with a median around $227,300. That kind of affordability is rare in today's market.
Median home value $227,300 · 53% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▲ 21% above US
5.2% unemployment
Unemployment here is 5.2%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 171% above US
891 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 2475/100k · Salisbury Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 15% below US
22 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.2 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 86°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 31°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 29% below US
26% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 26%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
11 public schools inside the boundary
There are 11 public schools inside the boundary and 2 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Assateague Island National Seashore (29 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Salisbury's strongest points are home prices that remain within reach and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,318/mo) equals 27% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Salisbury
All Maryland guides →Moving to Ocean Pines →
24 mi away · pop. 12,351
Rent $2,069/mo · Income $91,824
Compare with Salisbury →Moving to Cambridge →
29 mi away · pop. 13,152
Rent $1,058/mo · Income $47,323
Compare with Salisbury →Moving to Lexington Park →
47 mi away · pop. 13,252
Rent $1,755/mo · Income $94,799
Compare with Salisbury →Not sure Salisbury is the one?
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