Salem, MA
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Salem to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Salem, Massachusetts

Life in Salem research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Salem over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Salem based on the most recently available data.

44,795 Population
$606,558 Median home value
$85,153 Median income
135 Cost of living +35% vs US
$1,836 Median rent
5.1% Unemployment
Not sure Salem fits? Try our place-match quiz → Planning a move? Find movers to Salem, MA Get matched →

Salem SnackAbility

7
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 8/10
Housing 9/10
Affordability 4/10
Diversity 8.5/10
Safety 6/10
Amenities 9.5/10
Education 8.5/10
Commute 4/10

Crime in Salem summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Salem. Key points include:

  • There were 784 total crimes in Salem in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Salem is 1,706.0 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Salem is 152.3 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Salem is 1,553.7 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Salem is -19.50% below the national average.

784
Total Crimes
-19.50%
Below National Average
Salem
US

Crime In Salem Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Salem
/ 100k People
Massachusetts
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 784 1,706.0 1,426.8 2,119.2
Violent Crime 70 152.3 314.7 359.0
Murder 0 0.0 1.8 5.0
Robbery 16 34.8 36.0 61.0
Aggravated Assault 48 104.5 249.3 256.0
Property Crime 714 1,553.7 1,112.1 1,760.0
Burglary 49 106.6 130.3 229.0
Larceny 619 1,347.0 876.3 1,272.0
Car Theft 46 100.1 105.5 259.0
Worried about safety? Compare home security systems in Salem Get matched →

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Salem summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Salem. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Massachusetts. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Salem is 135 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Salem is 1.4x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Salem is $606,558.

  • The median income in Salem is $85,153.

135
Salem's Overall Cost Of Living
1.4x
Higher Than The National Average
Salem
US

Cost Of Living In Salem Comparison Table

Living Expense Salem Massachusetts National Average
Overall 135 130 100
Services 108 110 100
Groceries 114 115 100
Health 186 168 100
Housing 115 117 100
Transportation 113 115 100
Utilities 115 114 100
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Salem Get matched →

Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Salem, MA Weather

  • The average high in Salem is 58.0° and the average low is 41.3°.

  • There are 83.7 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 46.5 inches of precipitation each year with 41.2 inches of snow.

StatSalem
Average Annual High58.0
Average Annual Low41.3
Annual Precipitation Days83.7
Average Annual Precipitation46.5
Average Annual Snowfall41.2
58.0°
Average High
83.7
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Salem, MA Photos

Salem Witch House Ii
Source: Wikipedia User SalemPuritan | CC BY-SA 4.0
First Muster
Source: Public Domain
Downing Block Tunnel Salem Ma
Source: Wikipedia User Docspond | GFDL
Salem Depot Boston Maine
Source: Public Domain
Salem Ferry
Source: Wikipedia User Fletcher6 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Veterans Memorial Bridge
Source: Wikipedia User Fletcher6 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Salemma Map Bpl
Source: Wikipedia User Mason | CC BY 2.0
Salem Harbor Station
Source: Wikipedia User Fletcher6 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Friendship Of Salem
Source: Wikipedia User Fletcher6 | CC BY-SA 3.0

Rankings & Articles For Salem

Locations Around Salem

Map Of Salem, MA

Best Places Around Salem

1

Lexington, MA
Population 34,295

$1,584,587+161% vs Salem
2

Marblehead, MA
Population 20,413

$1,026,798+69% vs Salem
3

Newton, MA
Population 89,044

$1,528,893+152% vs Salem
4

Winchester, MA
Population 23,406

$1,553,770+156% vs Salem
5

Reading, MA
Population 25,612

$915,078+51% vs Salem
6

Brookline, MA
Population 63,266

$1,211,600+100% vs Salem
7

Pinehurst, MA
Population 6,845

$728,773+20% vs Salem
8

Arlington, MA
Population 46,350

$1,081,431+78% vs Salem
9

Belmont, MA
Population 27,175

$1,458,986+141% vs Salem
10

Melrose, MA
Population 29,650

$908,130+50% vs Salem

Salem Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Salem

The current population in Salem is 44,795. The population has increased 9.4% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 44,795 1.3%
2023 44,241 -0.7%
2022 44,541 0.2%
2021 44,452 2.5%
2020 43,350 0.2%
2019 43,252 -0.1%
2018 43,302 0.4%
2017 43,146 0.8%
2016 42,804 0.7%
2015 42,499 0.4%
2014 42,321 0.9%
2013 41,926 0.7%
2012 41,641 1.2%
2011 41,163 0.5%
2010 40,964 -

Race / Ethnicity in Salem

White 66.4% (29,764)
African American 4.6% (2,050)
American Indian 0.1% (23)
Asian 3.4% (1,502)
Hawaiian 0.1% (36)
Other 1.0% (460)
Two Or More 3.7% (1,668)
Hispanic 20.7% (9,292)
See the full breakdown

Salem is:

  • 66.4% White with 29,764 White residents.

  • 4.6% African American with 2,050 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 23 American Indian residents.

  • 3.4% Asian with 1,502 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 36 Hawaiian residents.

  • 1.0% Other with 460 Other residents.

  • 3.7% Two Or More with 1,668 Two Or More residents.

  • 20.7% Hispanic with 9,292 Hispanic residents.

Race Salem MA USA
White 66.4% 66.6% 57.4%
African American 4.6% 6.4% 11.9%
American Indian 0.1% 0.1% 0.5%
Asian 3.4% 7.3% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 1.0% 1.2% 0.6%
Two Or More 3.7% 5.1% 4.3%
Hispanic 20.7% 13.3% 19.3%

Gender in Salem

Female 54.5% (24,427)
Male 45.5% (20,368)
See the full breakdown
  • Salem is 54.5% female with 24,427 female residents.

  • Salem is 45.5% male with 20,368 male residents.

Gender Salem MA USA
Female 54.5% 51.1% 50.5%
Male 45.5% 48.9% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Salem for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 5.0% (2,239)
9-12th Grade 4.0% (1,791)
High School / GED 22.0% (9,854)
Some College 15.0% (6,719)
Associate's Degree 7.0% (3,135)
Bachelor's Degree 27.0% (12,094)
Master's Degree 16.0% (7,167)
Professional Degree 2.0% (895)
Doctorate Degree 2.0% (895)
See the full breakdown
  • 5.0% of adults in Salem completed < 9th grade.

  • 4.0% of adults in Salem completed 9-12th grade.

  • 22.0% of adults in Salem completed high school / ged.

  • 15.0% of adults in Salem completed some college.

  • 7.0% of adults in Salem completed associate's degree.

  • 27.0% of adults in Salem completed bachelor's degree.

  • 16.0% of adults in Salem completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Salem completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Salem completed doctorate degree.

Education Salem MA USA
< 9th Grade 5.0% 6.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 4.0% 4.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 22.0% 23.0% 26.0%
Some College 15.0% 14.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 7.0% 7.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 27.0% 25.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 16.0% 15.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 2.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 3.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Salem, Massachusetts

Less than $10,000 4.3% (194,722)
$10,000 to $14,999 4.5% (201,795)
$15,000 to $24,999 8.0% (360,490)
$25,000 to $34,999 5.9% (263,460)
$35,000 to $49,999 8.0% (357,617)
$50,000 to $74,999 13.9% (623,951)
$75,000 to $99,999 11.6% (519,628)
$100,000 to $149,999 18.3% (818,674)
$150,000 to $199,999 12.3% (552,781)
$200,000 or more 13.1% (586,377)
See the full breakdown
  • 4.3% of households in Salem earn Less than $10,000.

  • 4.5% of households in Salem earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 8.0% of households in Salem earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 5.9% of households in Salem earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 8.0% of households in Salem earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 13.9% of households in Salem earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 11.6% of households in Salem earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 18.3% of households in Salem earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 12.3% of households in Salem earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 13.1% of households in Salem earn $200,000 or more.

Income Salem MA USA
Less than $10,000 4.3% 4.4% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 4.5% 3.3% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.0% 5.5% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 5.9% 5.0% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 8.0% 7.5% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 13.9% 12.0% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 11.6% 10.7% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 18.3% 17.5% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 12.3% 11.9% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 13.1% 22.3% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)