Compare towns
Salem vs Boxford vs Derry
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Salem has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.6%).
Boxford has the most expensive homes ($907k median).
Derry has the youngest population (median age 40.3).
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 | Boxford | Derry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 30,964 |
8,208Lowest |
34,116Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.6±2.7 15% above U.S. |
49.1±3.6Highest 26% above U.S. |
40.3±1.6Lowest 4% above U.S. |
| Boxford and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.2%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.7%±5Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.7%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Boxford and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.6%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.2%±4.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.2%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Boxford and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
70.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.1%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Derry and Boxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $110,490±$9k 37% above U.S. |
$200,871±$21kHighest 149% above U.S. |
$108,944±$7kLowest 35% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $473,300±$16k 42% above U.S. |
$907,000±$46kHighest 173% above U.S. |
$432,000±$17kLowest 30% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,625±$146Highest 15% above U.S. |
$776±$13Lowest 45% below U.S. |
$1,547±$138 9% above U.S. |
| Salem and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,992Lowest 124% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$8,103 160% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.5%±9.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
67.2%±60.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
51.6%±9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Boxford and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1983Highest 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minLowest 10% above U.S. |
31 minHighest 18% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 16.3%±2.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
21.6%±5.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Boxford and Salem 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 | #38 of 120 in NH | #34 of 282 in MA | #60 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Salem School District | Boxford · Masconomet | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District |
| High school in town | Salem High School | Masconomet Regional High School | Pinkerton Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.2Lowest |
12.2 |
13.9Highest |
| 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.