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MA area data

New salem, MA

Aggregated across 3 ZIP codes in New salem.

Population: 22,538 (Census ACS)

The median home value in New salem, MA is $366,055 — up 2.3% over the past year. Homes sell for a median $331,783 after a median 54 days on market. Typical rent runs $1,325/month. 7 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Moderate, with icestorm, coldwave, hurricane the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 10.5% above the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$366,055

Median home value

+2.3%

1-year change

54

Median days on market

Relatively Moderate

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$366,055
1-year appreciation
+2.3%
3-year appreciation
+16.2%
5-year appreciation
+34.7%
10-year appreciation
+116.6%
All-time peak (2026-05)
$366,547
House Price Index (state)
467.4 (+2.1% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

Median sale price
$331,783
Median list price
$332,450
Median price per sqft
$218
1-year sale-price change
-12.0%
Median days on market
54 days
Homes sold (recent period)
20
For-sale inventory
74
Sale-to-list ratio
100.0%
Active listings
14
1-year forecast
+1.9%
New listings (monthly)
33

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Typical rent
$1,325/mo
Studio fair-market rent
$1,278/mo
1BR fair-market rent
$1,597/mo
2BR fair-market rent
$2,044/mo
3BR fair-market rent
$2,658/mo
4BR fair-market rent
$3,067/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (High)
110.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
30.5¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$25.10/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
7
Elementary schools
4
Middle schools
1
High schools
2
School districts serving the area
Athol-Royalston, New Salem-Wendell, Orange
Schools include
Athol High, Athol Community Elementary School, Athol-Royalston Middle School, Swift River, Dexter Park

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Moderate
Top hazards (county)
iceStorm, coldWave, hurricane, inlandFlooding, lightning, strongWind
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively High · drought: Relatively Moderate · earthquake: Relatively Low · hail: Relatively Moderate · heatWave: Relatively Moderate · hurricane: Relatively High
FEMA flood zone (varies by location)
includes A
Flood risk level
High
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 19% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
66.2%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
Nearest Superfund site
Troy Mills Landfill (14.6 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
49.3°F
Average high
60.0°F
Average low
38.3°F
Annual precipitation
45.6 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
5b (extreme annual low -15 to -10°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
42
Days with Good air quality
253
Days with Moderate air quality
106
Days with Unhealthy air quality
1
Highest AQI recorded (year)
152

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Walkability & transit

Walkability index
6.4 / 20
Transit service frequency
-66,383
Jobs reachable by car (30 min)
3,735
Jobs reachable by transit (45 min)
7,206

Source: EPA Smart Location Database (metropolitan block groups)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
20
Nearest national park
New England National Scenic Trail (15 mi)
National parks include
New England National Scenic Trail, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Lowell National Historical Park
Airports within 30 mi
61
Nearest airport
Orange Municipal Airport (2 mi)
Nearest major airport
Dillant Hopkins Airport (EEN) (20 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
2
Hospitals include
ATHOL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, BAYSTATE FRANKLIN MEDICAL CENTER, HEYWOOD HOSPITAL -
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.8 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
4.0 / 5
Solar radiation rating
Fair (3.8 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
-1,365 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,964
Housing built before 1970
54.5%
Housing built 2000 or later
12.0%
Median annual property tax
$4,050
Mean commute to work
24 min
Households with broadband internet
74.4%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
297,809
Average weekly wage
$1,309
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Administrative Services
Annual residential building permits (county)
824

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

New salemState medianUS median
Median home value$366,055$625,940$289,727
Median sale price$331,783$585,000$325,000
Median days on market54 days27 days51 days
Typical rent$1,325/mo$2,768/mo$1,808/mo
Median annual property tax$4,050$5,436$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in New salem, MA?
$366,055.
What is the median sale price in New salem, MA?
$331,783.
How long do homes take to sell in New salem, MA?
Median days on market: 54 days.
What is typical rent in New salem, MA?
Typical rent: $1,325/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in New salem, MA?
Overall risk: Relatively Moderate (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: iceStorm, coldWave, hurricane, inlandFlooding, lightning, strongWind.
Is New salem, MA in a flood zone?
High (FEMA NFIP). Parts of the area include FEMA flood zone A; zones vary by location within the city.
What is the wildfire risk in New salem, MA?
Risk to homes is higher than 19% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in New salem, MA?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near New salem, MA?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
How many schools serve New salem, MA?
7 schools (4 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
Is New salem, MA walkable?
Walkability index: 6.4/20 (EPA Smart Location Database).
What is the air quality in New salem, MA?
Good. Median AQI: 42. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in New salem, MA?
Regional Price Parity: 110.5 (100 = US average) (High) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP codes in New salem

Selling a home in New salem, MA?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents