Living in & buying/selling in Salem, NH
The first New Hampshire town on I-93, right on the line with Methuen and Haverhill.
Salem, briefly
Salem is the first New Hampshire town you reach on I-93, with Methuen and Haverhill on its southern border. It is known for retail along Route 28, the Mall at Rockingham Park and Tuscan Village, built on the site of the former Rockingham Park race track.
Because it is right on the state line, many of my clients compare Salem directly with Methuen, Haverhill and the other Merrimack Valley towns. I am licensed in both states, so we can do that side by side.
Salem, 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
Salem is mostly single-family: capes, ranches, split-levels and colonials, homes near Canobie Lake and the town’s other ponds, newer construction, and condominium communities.
Taxes are the other half of the housing picture. New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no state income tax on wages, and its tax on interest and dividends was repealed for tax periods beginning in 2025. The state relies more on local property taxes, so expect a higher property-tax rate than in many nearby Massachusetts towns — compare the actual tax bill on any home you consider. If you work in Massachusetts, Massachusetts generally taxes the wages you earn there; a tax professional can tell you what applies to you.
Getting to and from Salem
Check the MBTA and MassDOT or NHDOT for current schedules and roadwork.
- By car
I-93 runs through town with its first New Hampshire exits. NH Routes 28, 38, 97 and 111 handle local trips.
- By train
There is no passenger rail in Salem. The nearest commuter rail stations are in Massachusetts — Lawrence, Bradford and Haverhill on the MBTA Haverhill Line.
- Across the line
Methuen and Haverhill, Massachusetts, border Salem to the south; Windham, Pelham, Derry and Atkinson are its New Hampshire neighbors.
Schools in Salem
Salem’s public schools are run by the Salem 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 Salem
- Canobie Lake Park
A large amusement park on Canobie Lake.
- America’s Stonehenge
A stone site of disputed origins in the town.
- Tuscan Village
A mixed-use development on the site of the former Rockingham Park race track.
- Incorporated in 1750
The town was incorporated under colonial governor Benning Wentworth.
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.
Is there a train from Salem, NH, to Boston?
Not in Salem. The nearest commuter rail stations are in Massachusetts: Lawrence, Bradford and Haverhill on the MBTA Haverhill Line.
Can you help me sell in Massachusetts and buy in Salem?
Yes. I am licensed in both states, and I plan both closings together so you move once.
How is the Salem 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 Salem 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 Salem?
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