What stands out worked out from the figures below

Salem has the oldest population (median age 44.6).

Durham has the youngest population (median age 20.8).

Durham is a college town. 55.1% 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	15,080Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6%	+5.8%Highest NH: +4.6%
Median age	44.6±2.7Highest 3% above NH	20.8±0.3Lowest 52% below NH
Kids under 18	16.2%±2.1Highest NH: 18.2%	10.3%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2%
Age 65+	18.6%±1.7Highest NH: 20.1%	11.5%±1.6Lowest 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%	55.1%±3.2Highest NH: 6%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$110,490±$9kLowest 12% above NH	$124,056±$21kHighest 25% 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	$504,300±$41kHighest 25% 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	$1,429±$143Lowest 4% 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%	66.4%±16Highest 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%	15.1%Highest NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	75.6%Highest NH: 72.8%	64.4%Lowest NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year	1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH	1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	29 minHighest 9% above NH	19 minLowest 27% below NH
Work from home	16.3%±2.9Lowest NH: 16.8%	19.4%±3.5Highest NH: 16.8%
	Durham 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	#9 of 120 in NH
School district	Salem School District	Oyster River Coop School District
High school in town	Salem High School	Oyster River High School
Students per teacherat that high school	11.2Lowest	12.3Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	None yet	51 photos →

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.