Living in Essex, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Essex · Census data 2020–2024
Essex has 3,701 residents with a median age of 45. The median household income is $157,147 (51% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $897,400, the median rent is $1,964/month.
Essex at a glance
- Population
- 3,701
- Median age
- 45State: 40
- Median household income
- $157,147State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $897,400State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,964/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 75%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 69%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Essex a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 51% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 1.5%; a poverty rate of 8.1%.
Cons: Home values 60% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Essex
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Essex the median home value is $897,400, 170% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,964 per month, which is 30.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,730 a month in housing costs.
Essex median household income
The median household income in Essex is $157,147 and the income per person is $78,674. 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Essex: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,549
- Owner-occupied
- 75%
- Renter-occupied
- 25%
- Vacant
- 12.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.72
Essex demographics
- Population
- 3,701
- Median age
- 45
- Under 18
- 23.9%
- 65 and older
- 16.9%
- Households
- 1,359
- Foreign-born
- 4.1%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Essex ›
Education in Essex
69% of adults 25 and older in Essex have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 28.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Essex
- Unemployment rate
- 1.5%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 23.6%
- Drive alone
- 69.1%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 5%
- Homes with broadband
- 98.7%
Essex vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex | 3,701 | $157,147 | $897,400 | $1,964 |
| Gloucester | 30,075 | $83,883 | $600,600 | $1,411 |
| Hamilton | 7,600 | $129,833 | $720,000 | $1,794 |
| Ipswich | 13,930 | $138,750 | $745,400 | $1,598 |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea | 5,403 | $206,389 | $942,000 | $1,811 |
| Wenham | 4,929 | $194,781 | $885,400 | — |
| Beverly | 42,665 | $106,044 | $650,300 | $1,771 |
| Rowley | 6,251 | $132,734 | $667,300 | $1,603 |
| Rockport | 7,009 | $96,250 | $746,100 | $1,851 |
More for people moving to Essex
Essex ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Essex: FAQ
What is the median household income in Essex, MA?
The median household income in Essex is $157,147, 51% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Essex?
The median home value in Essex is $897,400, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Essex?
The median gross rent in Essex is $1,964 per month, about 30.5% of household income.
Is Essex, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 51% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 1.5%; a poverty rate of 8.1%. Minuses: home values 60% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Essex?
The median age in Essex is 45 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Essex?
The average commute to work in Essex is 25 minutes; 23.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Essex?
The unemployment rate in Essex is 1.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Essex?
69% of adults in Essex have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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