Moving to Boston? Discover how to handle unique rental rules, avoid common moving day pitfalls, and prepare for your first winter in the city
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.
Thinking of moving to Boston? Discover the real cost of living in the city. Our local expert guide breaks down rent, hidden utility costs, transportation tips, and neighborhood tradeoffs to help you budget smarter.
Find your perfect apartment outside Boston. We review Quincy, Braintree, Malden, Somerville, and Lynn, covering local hotspots, commute options, and available rental types.
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.
| Bedroom | Average Price | Cheapest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Studio Apartments | $1,909 | $1,100 | $4,212 |
| Salem 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,409 | $1,200 | $4,195 |
| Salem 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,894 | $1,700 | $4,520 |
| Salem 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,059 | $2,500 | $4,930 |
| Salem 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,307 | $2,900 | $3,950 |
| Bedroom | Average Price | Cheapest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Bedroom Homes | $2,919 | $2,100 | $5,500 |
| 3 Bedroom Homes | $4,111 | $2,575 | $8,700 |
| 4 Bedroom Homes | $4,648 | $3,500 | $6,290 |
| 5 Bedroom Homes | $4,966 | $4,400 | $5,900 |
| 6 Bedroom Homes | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,500 |
Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.
Read ArticleTour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.
Read ArticleLearn About the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near College Campuses in Boston, MA | Find Boston Off-Campus Student Housing at ApartmentHomeLiving.com
Read ArticleFrom the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
Read ArticleThe common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
If you’re an expert on all things Salem, tell us what you love (and don't) by rating it and writing a review.
Write a ReviewSalem has the feel of a small, compact town. Here, friendly residents celebrate together in the summer and stick together during blustery winters. This town's rich history and placement near Boston makes it a great place for both city commuters and people longing for a quieter life.
Salem was first settled in 1626 and quickly became a major seaport. It held an important role in the American Revolution as a center for American privateers. However, no history of this city would be complete without mentioning the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. This town's witchy history has inspired multiple TV shows, films, and books.
Wintertime temperatures plunge to 36/17 with plentiful snow. Springs rise steadily to 65/45, but expect plenty of rain from those Atlantic winds. Summers top out at lower 80s/60. August is the driest month in the calendar year. Finally, temperatures dive again in autumn, ending at about 52/32 with snow flurries.
Pop up bike lanes, supported by a bikeshare program, appear on weekends to reduce traffic congestion. Many downtown attractions are a mere 10 minutes' walk from various parking lots. Salem has a connection to MBTA bus routes and commuter rail service. There's also a seasonal ferry that runs May to October. Planning to fly? The closest international airport is Boston's Logan International.
The 107 runs south toward Boston, but the more direct route is to head west until you hit nearby I-95. 1A parallels the coast and is a good way to reach Beverly and Lynn. Traffic congestion, especially around rush hour, is an issue. This congestion gets worse in October as tourists are drawn to this town's haunted history.
This town gets print news via The Salem News and The Salem Gazette. News stations available include CBS (channel 4), ABC (channel 5), NBC (channel 10), and FOX (channel 25). A few popular radio stations are WMWM 91.7 (Salem State University's college radio), WBOS 92.9 (classic rock), and WBOQ 104.9 (adult contemporary).
Salem has a reputation as a great home for young, energetic people. They come for Salem State University and stay for the creative scene, exciting history, and dynamic local businesses. However, this city also has a lot to offer busy professionals and families. It's close enough to commute to Boston, but decidedly more budget-friendly than the big city. Salem boasts a gorgeous waterfront, numerous museums and galleries, and centuries of history lying around every corner just waiting to be explored. Salem has a magic that turns visitors into residents, and residents into longtime locals.
Salem State University, the largest campus in Massachusets' state university system, gives lively character to that area of town. The Burying Point Cemetery, founded in 1637, offers a fascinating glimpse to Salem's long history. In Salem Harbor you can get a look at a 171 foot replica tall ship, the Friendship of Salem.
You can learn more about the witch trials at the Salem Witch Museum. Literature fans and architecture buffs may both love a guided tour of the House of the Seven Gables. This house, built in 1668, was inspiration to writers Nathaniel Hawthorne and H.P. Lovecraft. Finally, a boat tour will let you view the coast's multiple lighthouses from stunning angles up close and afar.
Salem's So Sweet festival features hot chocolate, cool ice sculptures, and a Golden Ticket Raffle. February. June brings sunlight and flowers, a perfect backdrop for the Salem Arts Festival. The Salem Martime Festival in early August celebrates the city's maritime legacy. Finally, Salem pulls out all the stops with town-wide festivities for Halloween.
Salem may seem to be part of a major metropolitan area, but people wanting to get away from it all can simply head north on 1A and reach numerous state forests, state parks, and the gorgeous coastline. Boston itself is also easy (though not always quick) to reach via 1A south. Cut down on driving time by avoiding rush hour and major holidays.
Apartments in the vicinity of Salem State College are a good fit for students who want to be able to walk to class. This area also has a vibrant nightlife. If you prefer to commute by train, consider a place in northeast Salem near the commuter rail. Areas like Witchcraft Heights and Shetland Park are conveniently close to a number of local businesses and startups. However, you don't necessarily have to pick a certain neighborhood to access what Salem has to offer. It's a compact town and there's likely a number of amenities within walking or biking distance of wherever you find an apartment.
Among cities in Massachusetts for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
See the most popular apartments and homes in Salem, MA
As of today, August 15, 2026, there are currently 877 available Salem apartments priced from $1,100 to $4,930, with an average monthly rent of $2,678.
There are 10 neighborhoods in the Salem area with available listings as of today. The three neighborhoods with the most options are Kendall Square with 6,048 listings, West End Boston with 5,294 listings, and Hyde Square with 5,213 listings.
There are currently 215 Studio Apartments in Salem with rent ranges from $1,100 to $4,212 with an average price of $1,909.
Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Salem ranges from $1,200 to $4,195 with an average monthly rent of $2,409.
The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Salem range from $1,700 to $4,520. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $2,894.
There are currently 116 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Salem on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $2,500 to $4,930 - averaging $3,059 for the location.
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hello! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston.
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hello! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston.
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hello! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com expert for Boston!
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hi! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com expert for Boston, and I’m excited to help you find your next home!
Written by: Robin Stewart
Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.
Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.
We'll check your Salem review to ensure it meets our Review Guidelines.
Thank you!
