Compare towns
Derry vs Northfield vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derry has the youngest population (median age 40.3).
Northfield has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Salem has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.6%).
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.
| Measure | Derry | Northfield | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 34,116Highest |
4,971Lowest |
30,964 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.6% NH: +4.6% |
+0.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 40.3±1.6Lowest 7% below NH |
42.6±5.1 about the NH average |
44.6±2.7Highest 3% above NH |
| Salem and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±2.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
20.3%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
16.2%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Derry and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.2%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
17.2%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
18.6%±1.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Salem and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.4% NH: 40.6% |
23.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
38.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.5Highest NH: 6% |
5.1%±2.5 NH: 6% |
4.3%±1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Derry and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $108,944±$7k 10% above NH |
$92,917±$15kLowest 6% below NH |
$110,490±$9kHighest 12% above NH |
| Salem and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $432,000±$17k 7% above NH |
$288,500±$33kLowest 28% below NH |
$473,300±$16kHighest 18% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,547±$138 4% above NH |
$1,076±$182Lowest 28% below NH |
$1,625±$146Highest 9% above NH |
| Salem and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,103Highest 22% above NH |
$5,097Lowest 24% below NH |
$6,992 5% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±9Highest NH: 48.2% |
24.1%±14.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±9.6 NH: 48.2% |
| Derry and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
71.6% NH: 72.8% |
75.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
1979 same as NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 16% above NH |
26 minLowest 4% below NH |
29 min 9% above NH |
| Work from home | 16%±2.8 NH: 16.8% |
6.9%±3.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16.3%±2.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Salem and Derry 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 | #60 of 120 in NH | #109 of 120 in NH | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District | Winnisquam Regional School District | Salem School District |
| High school in town | Pinkerton Academy | None in town | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.9Highest |
— | 11.2Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
NH 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.