The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 01970 sells for about $579,900, or $415 per square foot.
Prices are up +1.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 38 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,836 a month.
ZIP 01970 — Salem
The Salem housing market remains competitive with steady demand and limited inventory, keeping prices resilient. While year-over-year appreciation is modest, the area's appeal as a historic commuter hub continues to drive interest from both local buyers and those relocating from the Boston metro area.
This ZIP is ideal for commuters seeking rail access to Boston, history enthusiasts, and families looking for a walkable, amenity-rich coastal community.
Median prices moved up 1.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 38 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 99.1% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.1% · poverty 12.1% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 01970, Essex County MA
Salem experiences crime rates generally consistent with other historic coastal cities in Massachusetts, with property crime being the primary concern. Local law enforcement maintains active community policing initiatives to address public safety.
The Salem Public School district serves the area with a mix of traditional public schools and specialized magnet programs, generally receiving moderate performance ratings.
As a coastal community, Salem faces risks related to storm surges and flooding in low-lying harbor areas, necessitating flood insurance for many waterfront properties.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, education, and healthcare, with ongoing redevelopment projects in the downtown and waterfront districts aimed at modernizing infrastructure.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Massachusetts) — Massachusetts Local Property Tax: Ad valorem tax calculated as (Municipal Budget / Total Assessed Value of all taxable property) = Tax Rate per $1,000 of assessed value. Assessments must be at 100% of full and fair cash (market) value.
Residents benefit from the MBTA Commuter Rail's Newburyport/Rockport Line, providing direct access to Boston's North Station, while road commuters primarily utilize Route 114 and Route 1A.
The area features extensive historic sites, the Salem Common, and waterfront parks like Winter Island, alongside a vibrant downtown shopping and dining district.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and low vacancy rates, driven by the city's proximity to Boston and its appeal as a historic tourist destination.
The economy is driven by a robust tourism sector, the Peabody Essex Museum, and proximity to major healthcare and educational institutions in the Greater Boston area.
The city is well-connected via the MBTA Commuter Rail and local bus networks, with major highway access provided by Route 128 and I-95 nearby.
City planning focuses on sustainable growth, historic preservation, and improving pedestrian infrastructure in the downtown core.
Parcels are subject to municipal taxes and may fall within specific historic district zoning regulations.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by coastal hazard exposure, with flood insurance often required for properties in designated zones.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum4.614.3 mi
- F1 Arcade Boston4.514.2 mi
- Museum of Illusions Boston4.513.9 mi
- Boda Borg Boston4.711.1 mi
- K1 Speed Boston-Wilmington4.212.6 mi
- Fenway Park4.816 mi
- TD Garden4.613.8 mi
- Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center4.514.6 mi
- MGM Music Hall at Fenway4.415.9 mi
- Hynes Convention Center4.515.5 mi
- Salem Witch Museum3.80.2 mi
- Stone Zoo4.310.9 mi
- AMC Assembly Row 124.212.9 mi
- Hammond Castle Museum4.611.2 mi
- Kowloon Restaurant4.27.6 mi
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston4.816.3 mi
- Boston Public Library4.815.2 mi
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum4.716.5 mi
- Museum of Science4.714 mi
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum4.614.3 mi
- Middlesex Fells Reservation4.711 mi
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial4.60.3 mi
- Salem Willows Park4.61.5 mi
- Breakheart Reservation4.77.5 mi
- Sheepfold Dog Park4.711.8 mi
- Pickering Wharf Marina4.60.5 mi
- Boston Yacht Club4.72.7 mi
- Jubilee Yacht Club Inc4.61.4 mi
- Seaport Landing Marina4.55.1 mi
- Salem Willows Yacht Club4.61.6 mi
- Unicorn Golf Course3.811.3 mi
- Sagamore Spring Golf Club47.8 mi
- Mount Hood Golf Course4.18.8 mi
- Gannon Municipal Golf Course4.54.7 mi
- Ferncroft Country Club4.66.9 mi
- Encore Boston Harbor4.312.6 mi
- Assembly Row4.512.9 mi
- Northshore Mall4.42.8 mi
- Square One Mall4.18 mi
- MarketStreet Lynnfield4.57.1 mi
- Boston Logan International Airport4.112.4 mi
- Park Shuttle & Fly4.511.1 mi
- The Lounge3.412.4 mi
- DaCoopas Pizza4.112 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Historic public park serving as a central community gathering space.
World-renowned museum featuring maritime history and art.
Coastal park offering camping, beaches, and historic lighthouse views.
Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the published ten-year series (2024) (within 12.5%).