First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a coastal city in Essex County on Massachusetts Bay, about 15 miles northeast of Boston. Founded in 1626 and long one of America's leading seaports, particularly in the China Trade, it is known both for the 1692 witch trials and for its collection of 17th- and 18th-century architecture, including the Samuel McIntire Historic District.
Salem at a glance
- $10.78Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,285Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- EssexCounty
- 1836Year incorporated
Salem's villages and zip codes
Salem uses a single main ZIP code, 01970, for the city.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Salem | 01970 | The city's historic commercial center around Essex Street, with City Hall, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the courts. |
| Salem Willows | 01970 | An oceanfront neighborhood on Salem Neck with a waterfront park and small amusement arcade. |
| South Salem | 01970 | A residential section south of downtown, toward the Lynn and Marblehead lines. |
| North Salem | 01970 | A residential neighborhood in the northern part of the city, toward Beverly. |
Things to do in Salem, MA
Start with Peabody Essex Museum and House of the Seven Gables, then 2 more below.
Peabody Essex Museum
An art and culture museum founded in 1799, with collections spanning maritime art, Asian export art, and American decorative arts.
East India Square, Salem, MA
House of the Seven Gables
A 1668 waterfront mansion that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel of the same name, open for guided tours.
115 Derby St, Salem, MA
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
A National Park Service site preserving Salem's waterfront wharves and buildings from its era as a major trading port.
Derby St, Salem, MA
Salem Willows
An oceanfront park and small amusement arcade on Salem Neck, with views of Salem Harbor.
Salem, MA
More worth a visit
- Pioneer VillageA living-history museum recreating Salem's 1630s settlement.
A little history
Salem was founded by English settlers in 1626, led by Roger Conant.
The Salem witch trials of 1692 resulted in the execution of 19 people.
By 1790, Salem had grown into the sixth-largest city in the United States and a world-famous seaport, especially in trade with China.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Salem
Salem's coastline gives it harborfront parks and views, from the working waterfront downtown to the beaches and green space at Salem Willows on Salem Neck.
- Salem WillowsOceanfront park on Salem Neck with harbor views.
- Winter IslandA former Coast Guard station on Salem Neck with a park, campground, and lighthouse.
Walkability and getting around Salem
Downtown Salem, around Essex Street and the Common, is dense and walkable with shops, restaurants, and museums; neighborhoods farther from downtown are more car-dependent.
Drive times
- Boston, about 15 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA Commuter Rail's Newburyport/Rockport Line serves Salem Depot with frequent service to Boston's North Station. The Nathaniel Bowditch ferry also runs seasonally between Salem and Boston.
Salem property taxes
Salem's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.78 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.89. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,078 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,285, on an average assessed value of $675,757.
Salem's FY2026 tax rates
$10.78per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.78 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$21.89 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$675,757
- Average single-family tax bill$7,285
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $13.25 |
| FY2023 | $12.51 |
| FY2024 | $11.62 |
| FY2025 | $11.34 |
| FY2026 | $10.78 |
Look up a Salem property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City Clerk / ElectionsVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Salem
What we check on a Salem purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal.
Check the flood zone first
As a coastal city on Massachusetts Bay and Salem Harbor, Salem has FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones along its waterfront, Salem Neck, and Winter Island. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SalemSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Salem Fire Department before the sale closes.
Salem Fire Department pageCoastal flood zones
Salem's harbor and Massachusetts Bay shoreline, including Salem Neck and Winter Island, put waterfront and low-lying areas within FEMA flood zones. Ask about flood zone status and flood insurance for any waterfront property before making an offer.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Salem?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Salem address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Salem: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Salem: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Trash and recyclingSalem provides curbside trash and recycling collection through a contracted hauler (Waste Management).
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
City Hall offices and contacts
Salem City Hall is at 93 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970.
- City HallMain line and website
- City Clerk / ElectionsVital records, elections, licensing
- Assessor's OfficeProperty values and assessments
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment
- Building/Inspectional ServicesPermits and inspections
- PlanningZoning and development
- Parks, Recreation & Community ServicesParks, programs, and facility reservations
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash/recycling, and infrastructure
- Salem Public LibraryMain library
- Salem Public SchoolsSchool district
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits
Salem, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Salem, MA?
Salem's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.78 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.89. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Salem?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,312 a year at $10.78 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Salem have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $10.78 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.89.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Salem?
The average single-family tax bill in Salem was $7,285 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $675,757.
What county is Salem in?
Salem is in Essex County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Salem use?
Salem uses the ZIP code 01970.
Is Salem on the MBTA Commuter Rail?
Yes. Salem Depot is served by the Newburyport/Rockport Line to Boston's North Station.
Who supplies electricity in Salem?
National Grid delivers electricity in Salem.
How far is Salem from Boston?
Salem is about 15 miles northeast of Boston.
Is trash pickup curbside in Salem?
Yes, Salem provides curbside trash and recycling collection through a contracted hauler.
Towns near Salem
Neighbors of Salem, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Salem, Massachusetts: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Salem official website: salemma.gov
- Wikimedia Commons: Federal Street District.jpg: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Fletcher6, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.