Minimum wage went up but so did all rental prices in Salem, ensuring that people receiving the minimum wage here actually make less money than they did before the raise. My friend's was raised from $475 per month to $625 per month for seemingly no reason other than demand is now higher in Salem. He now has to move with his kids and cannot find anywhere for less than $600. His apartment complex primarily rents to illegal immigrants who have four to five people living in a unit - most of them are paid in cash well and can easily afford the apartment with so many people living there. I believe that if Salem were to STOP renting to illegals completely, the demand would level off and people who are FROM Salem can afford to LIVE in Salem. Then again, it could be due to the utter greed of Salem landlords, who love to raise the rent and then laugh about it later - I know a few, unfortunately - one is a very sick man who raises his tenant's rent when ever he feels like it (with 90 day notice).