Living in Salem, New Hampshire
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 30,964 residents with a median age of 44.6. The median household income is $110,490 (12% higher than the New Hampshire median), the median home value is $473,300, the median rent is $1,625/month.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 30,964
- Median age
- 44.6State: 43.3
- Median household income
- $110,490State: $99,031
- Median home value
- $473,300State: $402,500
- Median rent
- $1,625/moState: $1,491
- Homeowners
- 75.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38.7%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 12% higher than the New Hampshire median; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 5%.
Cons: Home values 18% higher than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes.
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 $473,300, 42% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,625 per month, which is 27.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,504 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $110,490 and the income per person is $58,510. 5% of residents live below the poverty line (New Hampshire: 7.2%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 13,737
- Owner-occupied
- 75.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 24.4%
- Vacant
- 8.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.44
Salem demographics
- Population
- 30,964
- Median age
- 44.6
- Under 18
- 16.2%
- 65 and older
- 18.6%
- Households
- 12,618
- Foreign-born
- 10%
- Veterans
- 6.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
38.7% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Hampshire: 40.6%), and 14.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 2.8%State: 3.3%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 16.3%
- Drive alone
- 75.3%
- Public transit
- 1.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.7%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 30,964 | $110,490 | $473,300 | $1,625 |
| Methuen | 53,475 | $113,310 | $499,700 | $1,749 |
| Windham | 16,038 | $189,583 | $723,300 | $3,218 |
| Atkinson | 7,267 | $146,380 | $555,200 | $1,140 |
| Lawrence | 88,736 | $60,433 | $415,200 | $1,662 |
| Haverhill | 67,698 | $88,326 | $453,900 | $1,668 |
| Hampstead | 9,102 | $112,348 | $521,100 | $1,299 |
| Pelham | 14,449 | $135,956 | $552,600 | $1,425 |
| Derry | 34,116 | $108,944 | $432,000 | $1,547 |
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, NH?
The median household income in Salem is $110,490, 12% higher than the New Hampshire median of $99,031 (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 $473,300, compared with $402,500 in New Hampshire.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $1,625 per month, about 27.3% of household income.
Is Salem, NH a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 12% higher than the New Hampshire median; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 5%. Minuses: home values 18% higher than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 44.6 years (New Hampshire: 43.3).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 29 minutes; 16.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 2.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
38.7% 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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