The Salem market right now
Sales figures: Redfin Data Center, market tracker (Redfin, a national real estate brokerage), Salem, OR metro area, May 2026, all residential property types. Typical value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), Zillow Research, August 2026, mid-tier homes, seasonally adjusted. These are area-wide figures, not a value for any one home.
With about 3.9 months of supply, this is a fairly balanced market by the usual rule of thumb, and homes sold for about 0.5% below their list price on average.
Show the numbers
| Month | Median sale price |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | $458,498 |
| Apr 2026 | $445,000 |
| Mar 2026 | $450,000 |
| Feb 2026 | $450,000 |
| Jan 2026 | $437,450 |
| Dec 2025 | $439,200 |
| Nov 2025 | $450,000 |
| Oct 2025 | $459,995 |
| Sep 2025 | $468,900 |
| Aug 2025 | $450,000 |
| Jul 2025 | $450,000 |
| Jun 2025 | $451,000 |
| May 2025 | $466,720 |
| Apr 2025 | $450,000 |
| Mar 2025 | $460,000 |
| Feb 2025 | $430,000 |
| Jan 2025 | $449,998 |
| Dec 2024 | $435,995 |
| Nov 2024 | $439,000 |
| Oct 2024 | $431,250 |
| Sep 2024 | $443,000 |
| Aug 2024 | $435,000 |
| Jul 2024 | $446,400 |
| Jun 2024 | $449,000 |
| May 2024 | $455,000 |
Source: Redfin Data Center, Salem, OR metro area. Monthly figures, not seasonally adjusted, so some ups and downs are just the time of year.
What the metro area covers
The Census Bureau counts about 443,416 people in the Salem, OR metro area, across 2 counties. Property taxes, recording fees and some transfer taxes are set county by county, so check the county your home is in.
| County | Population (2024 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Marion County, OR | 352,867 |
| Polk County, OR | 90,549 |
Towns with the most ZIP codes in the area: Salem, Aurora, Donald, Gervais, Hubbard, Woodburn, Saint Paul, Keizer, Aumsville, Detroit, Gates, Idanha.
Population and counties: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2023 metro delineations.
Oregon rules that affect sellers
Transfer tax
Oregon has no state real estate transfer tax, and state law (ORS 306.815) bars cities, counties and districts from imposing one unless it was already in effect on March 31, 1997. The one such tax is Washington County's, at 0.1% of the sale price; who pays it is typically set in the purchase contract, so confirm with your escrow company.
Local add-ons: Washington County only: 0.1% of the sale price (grandfathered). No other Oregon county or city may impose one.
Source: ORS 306.815 (Oregon Public Law)
Seller disclosure
Oregon requires most sellers of residential property to give each buyer who makes a written offer the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement set out in ORS 105.464, answering from actual knowledge and leaving no blanks. A few sellers, such as lenders selling foreclosed homes, court-appointed representatives and first sales of new homes, are excluded.
Source: ORS 105.464 (Oregon Public Law)
Who handles the closing
Oregon home sales customarily close through escrow, handled by licensed escrow agents (often title companies) who hold the money and documents until the terms are met. Escrow agents are licensed by the Oregon Real Estate Agency.
Also worth knowing
After the seller delivers the disclosure statement, the buyer has five business days to revoke the offer unless the buyer waived that right. If the seller never provides the statement, the buyer's right to revoke lasts until closing.
Source: ORS 105.475 (Oregon Public Law)
Also worth knowing
When a nonresident individual sells Oregon property for more than $100,000, the escrow agent generally withholds the least of 4% of the price, 8% of the Oregon taxable gain, or the net proceeds for state income tax. Oregon residents and sales qualifying for the federal home sale exclusion are exempt.
Source: ORS 314.258 (Oregon Public Law)
Also worth knowing
Washington County is the only place in Oregon with a real estate transfer tax, at 0.1% of the sale price.
Source: PolitiFact Oregon, fact check on Oregon transfer taxes
Checking an agent's license
Real estate agents in Oregon are licensed by the Oregon Real Estate Agency. You can look up any agent before you work with them.
Rules checked 2026-09-30. They change, and local practice varies: confirm with your title company, closing attorney or agent before relying on them. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.