Cost of Living in Salisbury, MA

Population 9,217 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

139
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Salisbury a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $450,000. At 7.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 25 miles north of Lynn, Salisbury falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Lynn's $473,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 148
Rent 125

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Salisbury

The median home value in Salisbury is $450,100 — 48% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,646/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $102,521/year is 37% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. The climate averages highs of 59.4°F and lows of 40.9°F. Overall, Salisbury has a cost of living index of 139 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$450,100
48% above avg
Median Rent
$1,646/mo
25% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,346
1 BR
$1,498
2 BR
$1,963
3 BR
$2,365
4 BR
$2,603
Owner-occupied 74.8%
Renter-occupied 25.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,646
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,260/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.5 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.4%
Carpooled
4.0%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
16.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.3%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$102,521
37% above avg
Per Capita Income
$53,254
Unemployment Rate
7.0%
46% above avg
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor Force Participation
59.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.6%
Graduate degree 16.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.4
Male median age 44.8
Female median age 51.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.4°F
Avg Low
40.9°F
Annual Precip
40.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 353845586977838274625140
Low °F 192128384857636254433425
Precip" 2.862.443.423.603.393.993.483.043.754.103.523.32

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
66.6%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
204
PM2.5 days
160
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Salisbury, MA?

Salisbury has a cost index of 139 (100 = national average). It is 39% above the national average.

What is average rent in Salisbury, MA?

The median gross rent in Salisbury is $1,646 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Salisbury?

The median home value in Salisbury is $450,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Salisbury?

The median household income in Salisbury is $102,521 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Salisbury, MA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Salisbury is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.

Is Salisbury, MA affordable?

Salisbury is above average in cost of living, with an index of 139 — about 39% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Salisbury?

Salisbury has average high temperatures of 59.4°F and average lows of 40.9°F. Annual precipitation is 40.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Salisbury at a Glance

Population
9,217
Median Income
$102,521
Home Value
$450,100
Median Rent
$1,646/mo
Unemployment
7.0%
Avg High Temp
59.4°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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