Compare towns
Salem vs Pepperell vs Framingham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Salem has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.6%).
Pepperell has the most homeowners (84.3%).
Framingham has the most expensive homes ($627k median).
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 | Salem | Pepperell | Framingham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 44,795 |
11,663Lowest |
72,399Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+5.9% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 39.3±1.5 about the MA average |
42.4±3.3Highest 6% above MA |
37.5±1Lowest 6% below MA |
| Pepperell and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±1.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.1%±3.3 MA: 19.4% |
21.7%±1.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Framingham and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.2%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
18.2%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.1%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Pepperell and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.8% MA: 47.3% |
43.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.7%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.2%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.7%±2.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.5%±0.8 MA: 7.9% |
| Salem and Framingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,153±$5kLowest 18% below MA |
$124,073±$12kHighest 19% above MA |
$107,419±$6k 3% above MA |
| Pepperell and Framingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $542,800±$18k 3% below MA |
$482,100±$14kLowest 14% below MA |
$627,300±$10kHighest 12% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,836±$84 4% above MA |
$1,295±$238Lowest 27% below MA |
$2,033±$57Highest 15% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,114Lowest about the MA average |
$6,698 12% above MA |
$6,884Highest 15% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.9%±4.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
45.1%±16.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
53.4%±5.6 MA: 51.8% |
| Salem and Framingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.1%Highest MA: 10% |
8%Lowest MA: 10% |
10.4% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 49.7%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
84.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
54.8% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1966 2 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minLowest about the MA average |
34 minHighest 16% above MA |
30 min 4% above MA |
| Work from home | 21.6%±2.5Highest MA: 18.6% |
18.1%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
19.6%±2.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Salem and Framingham 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 | #248 of 282 in MA | #153 of 282 in MA | #229 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Salem | North Middlesex | Framingham · South Middlesex Regional Vocational Technical |
| High school in town | Salem High | None in town | Framingham High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.8Lowest |
— | 12.7Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA 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.