Living in New Salem, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of New Salem · Census data 2020–2024
New Salem has 1,054 residents with a median age of 55.6. The median household income is $79,688 (23% lower than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $359,000, the median rent is $1,194/month.
New Salem is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
New Salem at a glance
- Population
- 1,054
- Median age
- 55.6State: 40
- Median household income
- $79,688State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $359,000State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,194/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 89%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.4%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is New Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 1.9%; a poverty rate of 9.7%.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the Massachusetts median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in New Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In New Salem the median home value is $359,000, 8% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,194 per month, which is 47.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,957 a month in housing costs.
New Salem median household income
The median household income in New Salem is $79,688 and the income per person is $41,094. 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in New Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 506
- Owner-occupied
- 89%
- Renter-occupied
- 11%
- Vacant
- 13.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.41
New Salem demographics
- Population
- 1,054
- Median age
- 55.6
- Under 18
- 14.5%
- 65 and older
- 23.7%
- Households
- 437
- Foreign-born
- 3.4%
- Veterans
- 6.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of New Salem ›
Education in New Salem
35.4% of adults 25 and older in New Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 13.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in New Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 1.9%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 19.4%
- Drive alone
- 65.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 97.9%
New Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Salem | 1,054 | $79,688 | $359,000 | $1,194 |
| Shutesbury | 1,910 | $123,333 | $376,100 | $1,721 |
| Petersham | 1,185 | $110,750 | $392,400 | $1,679 |
| Pelham | 1,335 | $113,750 | $447,600 | $1,205 |
| Wendell | 850 | $65,288 | $290,300 | $1,239 |
| Leverett | 1,608 | $104,688 | $435,500 | $1,389 |
| Hardwick | 2,684 | $75,000 | $346,700 | $1,108 |
| Athol | 12,011 | $69,316 | $268,100 | $1,150 |
| Orange | 7,573 | $55,824 | $245,900 | $775 |
More for people moving to New Salem
New Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in New Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in New Salem, MA?
The median household income in New Salem is $79,688, 23% lower 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 New Salem?
The median home value in New Salem is $359,000, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in New Salem?
The median gross rent in New Salem is $1,194 per month, about 47.7% of household income.
Is New Salem, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 1.9%; a poverty rate of 9.7%. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the Massachusetts median.
What is the median age in New Salem?
The median age in New Salem is 55.6 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in New Salem?
The average commute to work in New Salem is 23 minutes; 19.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in New Salem?
The unemployment rate in New Salem is 1.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is New Salem?
35.4% of adults in New Salem 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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