7 Best Places to Live in Massachusetts
Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in Massachusetts with our detailed guide.
Median Age
39 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
21%
Over 65
18%
Salem
Salem, MA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,249
Population
42,908
Renter Mix
49% Rent
Rich in history, Salem offers a classic New England lifestyle just up the road from Boston
Small Town
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Commuter
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Riverside
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History
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Waterfront
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Architecture
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Public Transportation
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Commuter
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Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts, a historic coastal city known for its maritime heritage and centuries-old architecture. Located just 16 miles north of Boston, Salem has approximately 44,480 residents and offers housing options ranging from historic properties in the Chestnut Street District to residential communities in South Salem and the Salem Neck area. Current rental rates average $2,173 for one-bedroom apartments and $2,634 for two-bedrooms.
Salem's downtown district features the internationally acclaimed Peabody Essex Museum and the Derby Waterfront District, home to the seasonal Salem Ferry terminal. The Salem Willows neighborhood offers waterfront parks and recreational areas, while Winter Island Marine Park and Forest River Conservation Area provide outdoor spaces for walking and wildlife viewing. Salem Common, site of the first National Guard muster in 1637, remains a central gathering space. The city offers convenient transportation options, including MBTA commuter rail service to Boston and local bus routes connecting neighborhoods throughout Salem.
Explore the City
The outdoor patio at Gulu Gulu is great for people watching when visiting Salem.
Wicked Good Books in Salem is a small locally owned bookstore with a number of great gift ideas.
If you're hungry for pizza or asian food when visiting Salem check out Bambolina and Kokeshi.
A number of local produce stands are greet to visitors when visiting the Salem Farmers Market.
The crowd is amazed by the aerial acrobatics at the Haunted Happenings Marketplace.
2 Cyrstal tarot
Demographics
Median Household Income
$75,270
Average: $99,164
Education
17,405
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
24,353
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
In Salem, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.
Renters
49%
Non-Renters
51%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
36%
Other Education
64%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Salem, MA is $1,659 for a studio, $2,223 for one bedroom, $2,691 for two bedrooms, and $3,256 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Salem has decreased by -0.8% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,223/month
702 Sq Ft
House
$4,172/month
1,593 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,801/month
897 Sq Ft
Learn More About Salem
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Salem, MA is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
415 Students
Witchcraft Heights Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
465 Students
Public
Grades K-8
267 Students
Public
Grades K-5
249 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
320 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
477 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
753 Students
Public
Grades K-8
267 Students
Public
Grades K-8
378 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
477 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
960 Students
Salem - New Liberty Innovation School
Public
Grades 9-12
54 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
22 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Mass Audubon's Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
- Salem Maritime National Historic Site
- Lynn Heritage State Park
- Mass Audubon's Nahant Thicket Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mass Audubon's Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- General Edward Lawrence Logan International
Top Apartments in Salem
Houses for Rent in Salem
Property Management Companies in Salem, MA
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.