Living in & buying/selling in Pelham, NH
Right over the line from Dracut and Methuen, in the south-east corner of Hillsborough County.
Pelham, briefly
Pelham sits directly north of Dracut and Methuen, with Tyngsborough to the south-west, Hudson to the west and Windham and Salem to the east. There is no interstate in town: NH Route 38 along Bridge Street is its commercial hub, and I-93 is about six miles away in Salem.
For buyers it offers New Hampshire living within a few minutes of Massachusetts — Lowell and Methuen are just over the line.
Pelham, this week
Live from public sources and refreshed every week. When a town has no separate series, the panel shows county figures and says so.
What the housing stock looks like
Pelham is mostly single-family: colonials, capes and ranches, many on larger and often wooded lots, along with newer construction.
Private wells and septic systems are common, so we confirm both before an offer. On taxes: New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no state income tax on wages, but relies more on local property taxes — compare the actual tax bill on any home. If you work in Massachusetts, Massachusetts generally taxes the wages you earn there.
Getting to and from Pelham
Check the MBTA and MassDOT or NHDOT for current schedules and roadwork.
- By car
NH Route 38 (Bridge Street), Route 111A and Route 128 — Mammoth Road, which runs from Lowell north toward Hooksett — cross the town. I-93 is about six miles away in Salem, and I-495 about nine miles south in Massachusetts.
- By train
There is no passenger rail in Pelham. The closest commuter rail stations are across the line in Massachusetts, in Lowell and Lawrence.
- Across the line
Dracut, Methuen and Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, border Pelham to the south.
Schools in Pelham
Pelham’s public schools are run by the Pelham School District. For school assignments, enrollment and programs, go straight to the district — it is the only source I point clients to.
I don't rank or rate schools; the district and the state are the sources to trust.
A few things about Pelham
- Beaver Brook
Nearly all of the town drains into Beaver Brook, which flows south to the Merrimack in Lowell.
- Route 38
Bridge Street is the town’s commercial hub.
- Incorporated in 1746
Pelham was split from Old Dunstable in the 1740s and incorporated in 1746.
Answered plainly
Does New Hampshire have a sales tax or income tax?
New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no state income tax on wages, and its interest-and-dividends tax was repealed for tax periods beginning in 2025. Property-tax rates are generally higher than in many nearby Massachusetts towns, so always compare the actual tax bill. If you work in Massachusetts, ask a tax professional how your wages are taxed.
How far is Pelham from I-93 and I-495?
I-93 is about six miles from the town center, in Salem, and I-495 is about nine miles south in Massachusetts.
What kinds of homes are in Pelham?
Mostly single-family colonials, capes and ranches, many on larger wooded lots, along with newer construction.
How is the Pelham housing market right now?
The Market Pulse on this page refreshes every week from public sources: typical value, sale prices, days on market and mortgage rates. Those are area trends; for a specific street, I pull the recent comparable sales.
What is my home in Pelham worth?
Request a home value and I'll review the comparable sales and active competition near your address, then send you a written range. It's free and there's no obligation.
Do you work in Spanish?
Yes. I'm a bilingual REALTOR®, and the whole process — every document explained, the negotiation and the signings — can be in Spanish.
Thinking about a move in Pelham?
Tell me what you're planning — buying, selling or investing. I'll come back with real numbers for this town, in English or Spanish.
Call or text: (978) 390-9619 · Book a call
The Fermin Group at Century 21 North East · 130 Parker St, Suite 14, Lawrence, MA 01843