Salem vs. Beverly, MA: Which One Fits You?
Two neighboring cities, one bridge apart, with a $114,500 gap in median single-family price through August 2026. How Salem and Beverly compare on price, housing, commute, and feel.
Salem and Beverly sit on either side of the Danvers River, connected by the bridge on Route 1A. Buyers compare them constantly, and they should. They're close enough to share a commute and a lot of the same restaurants, but different enough that the right answer usually becomes obvious once you know what you want.
The short version: Salem is the walkable city. Beverly is the bigger, more residential one, with more room to spread out and a higher median price.
How do Salem and Beverly compare on price?
Through August 2026, according to the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MLS PIN data):
| Salem | Beverly | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $720,000 | $834,500 |
| Same period 2025 | $725,000 | $753,600 |
| Change | −0.7% | +10.7% |
| Sales closed | 91 | 148 |
Beverly's median single-family price was about $114,500 higher, and it rose faster over the past year. Beverly also had more single-family sales, partly because it has more single-family housing. Salem's housing mix leans harder toward condos and two- and three-families, so a lot of Salem's market doesn't show up in a single-family median at all.
How is the housing different?
Salem is dense and old. Downtown and the neighborhoods around it are full of condos in converted buildings, two- and three-families, and historic single-families on small lots. If you want to walk to dinner and the train, Salem gives you more options at more price points. See what to know about Salem condos.
Beverly is larger in land area, with more single-family neighborhoods and more variety in lot size. It ranges from a walkable downtown along Cabot Street to quieter neighborhoods with more yard, out toward Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing along the water.
How do they compare for commuting to Boston?
Both are on the MBTA commuter rail into North Station. Salem has one station, downtown. Beverly has several stops, including Beverly Depot downtown and stations farther north, which is useful if you live away from the center. Check the MBTA's current schedules for times from each station.
By car, both depend on Route 1A, Route 128, and Route 1, and rush hour is rush hour.
What's the day-to-day feel?
Salem has more going on: museums, the waterfront, a university, a busy restaurant scene, and a very busy October. Some people love that energy year-round. Others find October tiring by the second weekend.
Beverly feels more like a residential city that happens to have a lively downtown. It has its own restaurants and arts scene downtown, colleges, and beaches and parks along the water, with less tourist traffic.
Which one should you choose?
I usually ask three questions:
- Do you want to walk everywhere, or drive to most things? Walk: lean Salem. Drive: Beverly opens up.
- Condo, single-family, or multifamily? Salem has more condos and small multifamilies. Beverly has more single-family choice.
- What's your monthly number? At the median, Beverly costs more. If a single-family in Beverly stretches you, a Salem single-family or condo may get you the lifestyle for less.
Honestly, plenty of people tour both and pick the specific house, not the city. That's fine. The towns are close enough that a great house in either one beats a mediocre house in the "right" one.
Questions people actually ask.
Is Beverly more expensive than Salem?
At the median, yes. Through August 2026, Beverly's median single-family sale price was $834,500 versus $720,000 in Salem, according to Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® data.
Which is better for commuting to Boston, Salem or Beverly?
Both have commuter rail service to North Station. Beverly has more stations spread across the city, while Salem's station is downtown. The better choice depends on where in each city you live.
Is Salem or Beverly better for first-time buyers?
Salem often has more entry points, especially condos and two-families. Beverly has more single-family options but at a higher median price. It comes down to property type and budget.
Do Salem and Beverly have a lot of multifamily homes?
Both have them, but Salem has a larger share of two- and three-family homes relative to its size, which is why it's popular with owner-occupant investors.
This article is general information about Massachusetts real estate, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Every property and transaction is different. For advice on your situation, talk with me and, where appropriate, an attorney, lender, or tax professional.