Real Estate Investing in Salem, Massachusetts (01970)
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Should you buy in 01970 (Salem, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Salem, MA (01970)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 01970 Salem
This part of Essex County is not an easy win. The 01970 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
For an experienced owner, 01970 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $612K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Within MA, ZIP 01970 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Essex County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
The demographic picture in 01970 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Salem averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
The 01970 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Salem:
Property Strategy for 01970
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $376,692 | $2,160 | 4.1% | +6.7% | $376,692 |
| 2BR | $522,861 | $2,560 | 3.5% | +6.1% | $261,430 |
| 3BR | $651,887 | $3,080 | 3.4% | +6.5% | $217,296 |
| 4BR | $734,921 | $3,390 | 3.3% | +6.5% | $183,730 |
| 5BR | $892,144 | — | — | +6.7% | $178,429 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 01970 Compare?
| Metric | 01970 | Salem | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $612,213 | $612,213 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.4% | 4.4% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $2,730 | $2,730 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% | 3.5% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 01970 (Salem, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Essex County
Manage rentals here? List your business →MRS Property Management offers full-service property management and tenant placement for apartments, houses, and commercial rentals across the North Shore area and Southern New Hampshire. summary from their website
CNR Property Management provides expert property management and maintenance solutions. summary from their website
This domain is for sale for $2,295 or monthly payments. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $612,213 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,730 |
| Price-to-Rent | 18.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.4% |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +1.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 01970
Population: 44,115
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 01970
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 3,301 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How expensive is real estate in Salem, MA?
The median home value in Salem, MA is roughly $612K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MA statewide average.
How strong is Salem, MA for real estate investors?
Salem, MA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $612K and rents near $2,730/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
What is the typical renter like in Salem, MA?
Tenant quality in Salem, MA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $2,730/mo.
Is Salem, MA good for house hacking?
The house hack math a challenging in Salem, MA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,730/mo rents and $612K home values.
Which real estate strategy fits Salem, MA?
The best-fit strategy in Salem, MA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
You know 01970 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 01970 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 01970 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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