Living in Salem, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 44,795 residents with a median age of 39.3. The median household income is $85,153 (18% lower than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $542,800, the median rent is $1,836/month.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 44,795
- Median age
- 39.3State: 40
- Median household income
- $85,153State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $542,800State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,836/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 49.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47.8%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 3% lower than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 5.1%.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the Massachusetts median; a poverty rate of 12.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Salem the median home value is $542,800, 63% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,836 per month, which is 32.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,685 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $85,153 and the income per person is $50,339. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 21,492
- Owner-occupied
- 49.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.3%
- Vacant
- 5.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.13
Salem demographics
- Population
- 44,795
- Median age
- 39.3
- Under 18
- 15.7%
- 65 and older
- 17.2%
- Households
- 20,267
- Foreign-born
- 16.3%
- Veterans
- 3.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
47.8% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 20.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 21.6%
- Drive alone
- 55.9%
- Public transit
- 5.3%
- Walk to work
- 6.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.4%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 44,795 | $85,153 | $542,800 | $1,836 |
| Marblehead | 20,413 | $182,132 | $943,900 | $1,764 |
| Swampscott | 15,277 | $134,386 | $771,100 | $2,303 |
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | $510,100 | $1,722 |
| Peabody | 54,695 | $96,657 | $596,200 | $1,950 |
| Beverly | 42,665 | $106,044 | $650,300 | $1,771 |
| Nahant | 3,325 | $112,762 | $748,800 | $1,777 |
| Danvers | 28,098 | $125,395 | $644,200 | $2,076 |
| Saugus | 28,773 | $101,539 | $603,400 | $2,241 |
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, MA?
The median household income in Salem is $85,153, 18% 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 Salem?
The median home value in Salem is $542,800, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $1,836 per month, about 32.3% of household income.
Is Salem, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 3% lower than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 5.1%. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the Massachusetts median; a poverty rate of 12.1%.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 39.3 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 29 minutes; 21.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
47.8% of adults in 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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