Independent Living Communities in Salem, Virginia

CaringScore for Salem, VA

CaringScore was designed to help millions of Americans find the best places to retire, age in place, or receive eldercare. The CaringScore for independent living communities in Salem was based on more than 50 factors in three key categories: health, cost, and livability. By compiling and analyzing this data, Caring.com is able to rate the quality of life you or a loved one might expect should you choose independent living communities in Salem.

CaringScore can range from 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and provides a quick way to compare cities, counties, and even specific zip codes. With a CaringScore of 8.1, Salem rates above average for those seeking independent living communities.

The charts below highlight a few of the factors we used to calculate the CaringScore for Salem. Choose a category score to learn more.

Physicians Per Capita

Cost of Healthcare Index

Sunny Days Per Year

HealthScore for Salem, VA

HealthScore, a component of the overall CaringScore for independent living communities in Salem, rates a region on a scale of 1 (less healthful) to 10 (more healthful). It's specifically tailored to anyone looking for independent living communities. The HealthScore for Salem is based on the availability of healthcare resources, air and water quality, the overall health of the local population, and other key factors. With a HealthScore of 9.5, Salem rates above average for those seeking independent living communities.

Easy access to physicians -- especially geriatricians and other key specialists -- is important to older adults seeking independent living communities. At 569.4 physicians per capita, Salem scores 158.2 percent better than the national average. Salem scores 815.4 percent better than the national average in geriatricians per capita, with 11.9, and scores 306.2 percent better than the national average in specialists per capita, with 79.2. These medical specialists include cardiologists, oncologists, and orthopedists. The average life expectancy from birth in Salem is 78 years -- on par with the rest of the country. The average life expectancy from birth in Salem is 78 years -- on par with the rest of the country. and water quality -- another key measure of Salem's environmental health -- is 45.5 percent above average.

Doctors Per Capita	Salem, VA	Nat'l Avg
Physicians	569.4	220.5
Geriatricians	11.9	1.3
Cardiologists	23.8	7.7
Oncologists	19.8	3.5
Orthopedists	23.8	7

Average Life Expectancy

CostScore for Salem, VA

CostScore, part of the overall CaringScore for independent living communities in Salem, rates the cost of living for older adults on a scale of 1 (more expensive) to 10 (less expensive). It's specifically tailored to people looking for independent living communities. The CostScore for Salem is based on data such as the average monthly cost of independent living communities in the region, cost of living indices such as housing and healthcare, regional tax rates, and other key factors. With a CostScore of 7.7, the costs associated with independent living communities in Salem are generally less expensive than the national average.

Because of the broad range of housing, service, and healthcare options available at independent living communities, no average monthly cost data is available for Salem. The entry fee or purchase price for an independent living community can range from $50,000 to $500,000 or more, and typically requires an additional monthly service fee of $1,000 to $3,000 on average. The cost of living indices below provide the best proxy for comparing costs of independent living communities in Salem to the rest of the country. Overall, the cost of living for Salem indexes at 7.0 percent lower than the national average. Average healthcare costs are 8.0 percent cheaper than the national average, and the cost of housing index is 94 of 10, which mirrors the rest of the country.

Cost of Living	Salem, VA
Aggregate Index	93
Healthcare Index	92
Housing Index	94
Food Index	88
Utilities Index	93
Transportation Index	94

Cost of Healthcare Index

LivabilityScore for Salem, VA

LivabilityScore makes up part of the overall CaringScore for independent living communities in Salem. On a scale of 1 (less livable) to 10 (more livable), it's a rating of the quality of life in a region, specifically tailored to those looking for independent living communities. The LivabilityScore for Salem is based on weather, crime rates, economic factors, average age of the population, and other key demographics. With a LivabilityScore of 6.3, Salem rates above average for independent living communities.

Weather is an important factor in choosing the best place for independent living communities. The sun shines an average of 210 days each year in Salem, which is about average in the U.S. With an average temperature of 27°F in January, winters tend to be milder in Salem than in other parts of the country, and summers often mirror nationwide seasonal trends, averaging 87°F in July.

Local crime rates are another important indicator. The violent crime rate in Salem is 50.0 percent lower than the national average, and the property crime rate index is 4 of 10, which is in line with the national average. At $48,850 per year, the population of Salem earns a median household income on par with the national average. Salem has an unemployment rate of 6.00 percent, roughly 34.1 percent lower than the national average. And about 17.57 percent of the population in Salem is of retirement age -- 65 or older -- which exceeds the national average by 33.5 percent.

Sunny Days Per Year

Avg Temperature (°F)

Property Crime Index

Amenities Per Capita	Salem	"Nat'l Avg"
Parks	0	136.1
Libraries	4	18.8
Places of Worship	109.1	220.5
Public Transit	118.6	110.4
Grocery Stores	157.7	97.7
Pharmacies	35.5	13.8

Percent of Population Over Age 65