A living wage in Salem is $33 per hour

And good luck finding a job that pays that rate

The largest recurring expense most folks have is shelter. Pick your poison. Rent or mortgage.

And the latest U.S. Census data shows that around 50% of housing units are rentals in Salem.

Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS: https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photography-of-buildings-425160/

Rule of thumb states that folks should not be spending any more th…