Compare towns
Salem vs Webster vs Derry
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Salem has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.6%).
Webster has the most homeowners (96%).
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 | Webster | Derry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 30,964 |
2,227Lowest |
34,116Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+2.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+3.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 44.6±2.7 3% above NH |
44.7±7.6Highest 3% above NH |
40.3±1.6Lowest 7% below NH |
| Webster 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 NH: 18.2% |
22.6%±8Highest NH: 18.2% |
20.7%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
| Webster 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 NH: 20.1% |
19.4%±1.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
15.2%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Webster 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%Highest NH: 40.6% |
30.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
37.4% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±1 NH: 6% |
3%±1.4Lowest NH: 6% |
6.1%±1.5Highest NH: 6% |
| Derry and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $110,490±$9kHighest 12% above NH |
$107,171±$14kLowest 8% above NH |
$108,944±$7k 10% 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 | $473,300±$16kHighest 18% above NH |
$338,500±$30kLowest 16% below NH |
$432,000±$17k 7% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,625±$146Highest 9% above NH |
$1,396±$622Lowest 6% below NH |
$1,547±$138 4% 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 | $6,992 5% above NH |
$6,021Lowest 10% below NH |
$8,103Highest 22% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.5%±9.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
53.6%±71Highest NH: 48.2% |
51.6%±9 NH: 48.2% |
| Webster and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5% NH: 7.2% |
9.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.6% NH: 72.8% |
96%Highest NH: 72.8% |
70.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1979 same as NH |
1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minLowest 9% above NH |
31 min 14% above NH |
31 minHighest 16% above NH |
| Work from home | 16.3%±2.9 NH: 16.8% |
17.1%±3.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
16%±2.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Webster 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 | — | #60 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Salem School District | Merrimack Valley School District | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District |
| High school in town | Salem High School | None in town | Pinkerton Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.2Lowest |
— | 13.9Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.