Compare towns

Beverly vs Newfields vs Salem

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Beverly has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Newfields has the highest household income ($198k).
Salem has the most renters (50.3% rent).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureBeverlyNewfieldsSalem
People
Population
42,665
2,023Lowest
44,795Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+7.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39±1.8Lowest
about the U.S. average
44.1±1.8Highest
13% above U.S.
39.3±1.5
about the U.S. average
Kids under 18
18.5%±1.8
U.S.: 22%
18.9%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.7%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Newfields and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.4%±1.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
13.6%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.2%±1.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Beverly and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
68.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
47.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
11.3%±0.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±7.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
8.2%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,044±$7k
31% above U.S.
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$85,153±$5kLowest
5% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$650,300±$13kHighest
95% above U.S.
$646,400±$34k
94% above U.S.
$542,800±$18kLowest
63% above U.S.
Beverly and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,771±$106Lowest
25% above U.S.
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
$1,836±$84
30% above U.S.
Newfields and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,836
119% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$6,114Lowest
96% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
55.5%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
43.3%±40.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
54.9%±4.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Beverly and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
60.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
95.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
49.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1956
24 yrs older than U.S.
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
29 min
8% above U.S.
Work from home
22.3%±2.4
U.S.: 15.1%
25.5%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
21.6%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Newfields and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #144 of 282 in MA — #248 of 282 in MA
School district Beverly Newfields School District Salem
High school in town Beverly High None in town Salem High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.2Highest
—
9.8Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.