Living in Salem, MA: prices, taxes and commute
A historic, walkable small city with a commuter rail station, a seasonal ferry and a busy October.
Salem's single-family median was $725,000 in September 2026, and $710,000 over the past 12 months. The FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.78 per $1,000. Salem station is on the commuter rail to North Station, and a seasonal ferry runs to downtown Boston.
Salem by the numbers
Source: The Context Report No. 5 (October 2026), MLS PIN closed single-family sales for September 2026; Massachusetts DOR FY2026 tax rates. Carrying cost assumes 20% down on a 30-year fixed loan and excludes insurance, HOA and maintenance. Annual tax on the September median at the FY2026 rate is about $7,816 before any exemption.
Every issue of The Context Report for Salem
| Issue | Median | Sales | Carrying cost / mo | 12-mo median | 12-mo change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1, June 2026 | $602,500 | 12 | $3,620 | $690,000 | -0.7% |
| No. 2, July 2026 (June 2026 sales) | $810,000 | 17 | $4,877 | $700,000 | +0.4% |
| No. 3, August 2026 (July 2026 sales) | $779,000 | 15 | $4,748 | $707,500 | +1.8% |
| No. 4, September 2026 (August 2026 sales) | $720,000 | 11 | $4,431 | $705,000 | pending |
| No. 5, October 2026 (September 2026 sales) | $725,000 | 17 | $4,721 | $710,000 | +1.4% |
Living in Salem
A lot of people move to Salem for a walkable historic downtown on the harbor, with a train to Boston and a seasonal ferry. Restaurants, shops, the Peabody Essex Museum and the Salem Maritime National Historical Park are all within a few blocks of each other, and Salem State University sits at the south end of the city. Salem is also more diverse than most North Shore communities, with a large Dominican community in the Point neighborhood, where the Punto Urban Art Museum has more than 75 large murals.
The waterfront parks are the city's best feature for residents. Salem Willows on Salem Neck has a beach, harbor views, a pier and a summer arcade and food stands. Next door, Winter Island Park has Waikiki Beach, Fort Pickering and its lighthouse, a boat ramp and seasonal camping. Forest River Park on Clifton Avenue has two small beaches, a pool and splash pad, a playground and Pioneer Village. Downtown, Salem Common is the city's historic green. The Salem Farmers' Market runs Thursdays from 3 to 7 PM in Derby Square, from mid-June to early October.
Salem's housing is older and denser than most nearby towns. More than half of its homes are in buildings built before 1940. Only about a third are single-families; nearly 4 in 10 are in two- to four-family buildings, and the rest are in larger buildings. The historic Federal-style houses of the McIntire district and the streets around Salem Common draw buyers who want character and a walk to downtown. Buyers who want a yard and a driveway often look toward North Salem and South Salem. Updated condos and homes within walking distance of downtown and the train are a different kind of buy than homes on busy roads or ones that need major work. Those usually need more patience and a clearer plan. Current prices and how long homes sit update with The Context Report on this page.
Homes in Salem
Salem's housing ranges from historic single-families and condo conversions in and around downtown and the McIntire district to two- and three-families in the Point and Gallows Hill areas, and mid-century single-families toward North Salem and South Salem. Condos and multi-families make up a large share of sales, so the single-family median tells only part of the story.
Taxes and monthly cost
Salem taxes residential and commercial property at different rates. At the FY2026 residential rate of $10.78, a home assessed at $725,000 would pay about $7,816 a year. Homes in the city's historic districts need review before most exterior changes. Ask before you plan a renovation.
Getting around
- Commuter rail: Salem station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line to North Station.
- Ferry: the seasonal Salem Ferry, run by Boston Harbor City Cruises, goes from the Blaney Street terminal to Long Wharf in downtown Boston, late May through October 31.
- By car: Route 114, Route 1A and Route 128 nearby. Test your commute at rush hour.
Schools, safety, water and flood data
We do not rate towns. These are the official sources, so you can look at the data yourself.
- Schools: Massachusetts DESE school and district profiles. Search for Salem to see enrollment, staffing, assessment results and more.
- Crime data: Massachusetts crime statistics, the state's public crime reporting site. The Salem police department also publishes local reports.
- Drinking water: EPA: find your annual drinking water quality report (Salem is served by the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board).
- Flood zones: FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Enter the address. If a home is in a high-risk flood zone, lenders will require flood insurance, so check before you make an offer.
Salem is a harbor city, and parts of the waterfront and low-lying areas are in mapped flood zones. Check every address.
Sources
Questions this page answers
What is the median home price in Salem, MA?
Salem's single-family median was $725,000 in September 2026 on 17 sales. Over the last 12 months it was $710,000, +1.4% from a year earlier. Many Salem sales are condos and multi-families, which are not in that number.
What is the property tax rate in Salem, MA?
Salem's FY2026 residential rate is $10.78 per $1,000 of assessed value, down from $11.34 in FY2025. The commercial rate is $21.89.
How do you get from Salem to Boston?
Salem station is on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line to North Station. A seasonal ferry also runs between Salem and downtown Boston.
Is Salem a good place to live?
That depends on what you are looking for. We lay out prices, taxes, commute options and links to public school, crime, water and flood data here so you can compare.
What is it like to own a home in Salem in October?
October brings large crowds, traffic and parking restrictions downtown. If you are buying near the center, ask about resident parking and visit on an October weekend.