Salem, Virginia | City Guide for Travel Healthcare Pros

Nestled in the scenic Roanoke Valley of Southwest Virginia, Salem offers a mix of outdoor recreation, manageable size, and strong healthcare-facility access. For travel nurses who want a peaceful assignment location with good value and a range of housing/extended-stay options, Salem is a very solid choice.

💰 Cost of Living in Salem

Here’s how Salem stacks up for travel nurses:

• The overall cost of living in Salem is about 15% lower than the U.S. average. BestPlaces+2BestPlaces+2

• Housing costs are also lower — for example, renting a two-bedroom unit runs about $1,090/month, which is ~24% cheaper than the national average. BestPlaces+1

• Utilities are somewhat higher than average (notably), and grocery/transportation are on par or slightly favorable. Payscale+1

Summary: Your housing stipend will go further in Salem than many major metros. You’ll likely find furnished rentals, hotel stays or RV sites that cost less than comparable stays in big cities — allowing more flexibility or savings.

Salem Facility Highlight

Learn more about Lewisgale Medical Center located in Salem, Virginia

Lewisgale Medical Center Review

🌤️ Weather by Month

Salem shares the climate of the Roanoke valley, four distinct seasons, mild to warm summers, crisp falls, and moderate winters.

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Description
January	~46 °F	~28 °F	Cool, chance of frost or light snow
February	~51 °F	~30 °F	Gradually warming, still crisp
March	~61 °F	~37 °F	Spring begins, more green
April	~71 °F	~45 °F	Very comfortable for outdoor time
May	~79 °F	~55 °F	Warm, nice vegetation
June	~85 °F	~63 °F	Summer heat starts, moderate humidity
July	~88 °F	~66 °F	Warmest month, good for lake/hill time
August	~86 °F	~65 °F	Still warm, some humidity
September	~81 °F	~58 °F	Cooling nights, pleasant days
October	~72 °F	~48 °F	Crisp fall, beautiful foliage
November	~61 °F	~38 °F	Cooler, winding down outdoor season
December	~50 °F	~30 °F	Winter returns, chillier nights

🛏️ Furnished Housing Options

There is good availability for furnished, monthly-stay housing in Salem (and greater Roanoke Valley) — especially useful for travel nurses.

• Furnished Rentals – Salem, VA (TravelNurseHousing) — Listings specific to travel nurse-friendly furnished stays. travelnursehousing.com

• Monthly Rentals – Salem, VA (FurnishedFinder) — Many listings for fully furnished homes/apartments, with 1-30+ day minimums. Furnished Finder+1

• Corporate/Furnished Apartments – Salem, VA (CorporateHousing.com) — Corporate-housing style furnished units for extended stays. CorporateHousing.com

Tip: Prioritize furnished units near your assignment hospital (Roanoke or Salem area) to keep commute times manageable, and verify that utilities, WiFi, parking/garage are included.

🏨 Extended Stay Hotels

Here are at least three good extended stay / longer-term hotel / suite options in the Salem / Roanoke region:

• Affordable Corporate Suites – Salem — Fully furnished suites, weekly/monthly rates, targeted toward professionals including traveling nurses. Tripadvisor+1

• Extended Stay Listings via Choice Hotels – Salem, VA — The Choice site shows extended-stay hotels in the area with kitchenettes and monthly stays offered. Choice Hotels+1

• Nearby Roanoke Extended Stay Options – e.g., Extended Stay America – Roanoke — Just minutes away from Salem, full kitchens and monthly rates available. Extended Stay America

Tip: When calling for extended stays, ask for travel nurse or medical professional rates and confirm laundry/parking/kitchen amenities.

🚐 RV Parks & Campgrounds

If you’re traveling with an RV or prefer that lifestyle, here are options near Salem:

• RV Parks near Salem – via Good Sam Directory — 50+ RV parks within ~50 miles of Salem. Good Sam+1

• Dixie Caverns Campground — Includes full hookups (electric/water/sewer), pet-friendly, big-rig friendly. Dixie Caverns

Tip: Confirm the site allows long-term (30+ day) stays, full hookups (50 amp if needed), WiFi quality, and proximity to major hospitals.

🎉 Things to Do in Salem

• Explore the scenic outdoors: hiking, biking, and trails in the Roanoke Valley and nearby Blue Ridge mountains.

• Enjoy downtown Salem’s local restaurants, breweries, and historic charm.

• Visit neighboring Roanoke, Virginia for museums, arts, and more urban amenities while keeping the calm of smaller-town living.

• Take advantage of weekend trips into state parks, lakes, and mountains for downtime.

🧳 Nearby Weekend Trips

• Drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for panoramic views and mountain drives.

• Visit the nearby historic town of Lexington, VA (~1 hour) for American heritage and natural landscapes.

• Explore the New River Gorge (a little further) or nearby lakes for relaxing outdoor escapes.

⏳ Summary

Salem, Virginia offers travel nurses a balanced assignment location: moderate cost of living, scenic surroundings, and shorter commute times in many cases.

✅ Pros: Affordable housing relative to many metros, good furnished housing availability, proximity to nature and outdoor breaks

⚠️ Considerations: Slightly smaller metro market means fewer high-end housing options compared to large cities; verify commute to your specific facility before booking housing

Disclosure: The information provided in this guide is what I use to send my travelers and is obtained through ChatGPT, utilizing prompts I frequently use as a travel nurse recruiter. The content is designed to help travelers make informed decisions about potential destinations.