What stands out worked out from the figures below

Salem has the most kids (16.2% under 18).

Durham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.8%).

Durham is a college town. 70.2% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Salem	Durham
People
Population	30,964Highest	10,681Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6%	+7.8%Highest NH: +4.6%
Median age	44.6±2.7Highest 3% above NH	20.1±0.2Lowest 54% below NH
Kids under 18	16.2%±2.1Highest NH: 18.2%	6.5%±2Lowest NH: 18.2%
Age 65+	18.6%±1.7Highest NH: 20.1%	7.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	38.7%Lowest NH: 40.6%	75.4%Highest NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.3%±1Lowest NH: 6%	70.2%±1.6Highest NH: 6%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$110,490±$9kLowest 12% above NH	$112,070±$25kHighest 13% above NH
	Durham and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$473,300±$16kLowest 18% above NH	$498,000±$45kHighest 24% above NH
	Durham and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,625±$146Highest 9% above NH	$1,302±$211Lowest 13% below NH
	Salem and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$6,992Lowest 5% above NH	$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	44.5%±9.6Lowest NH: 48.2%	55.4%±19.2Highest NH: 48.2%
	Durham and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	5%Lowest NH: 7.2%	12.4%Highest NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	75.6%Highest NH: 72.8%	53.6%Lowest NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year	1977Highest 2 yrs older than NH	1973Lowest 6 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	29 minHighest 9% above NH	17 minLowest 36% below NH
Work from home	16.3%±2.9Highest NH: 16.8%	15.6%±3.3Lowest NH: 16.8%
	Salem and Durham 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	#9 of 120 in NH
School district	Salem School District	—
High school in town	Salem High School	—
Students per teacherat that high school	11.2	—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.