Boston metro, MA relocation guide
Moving to Essex, MA
$1,032,000Median listing price
EssexArea
Commuter-friendlyCommute profile
About Essex
Essex is a small shipbuilding town on the Essex River known for its fried-clam restaurants and salt-marsh scenery. Housing is a mix of antique colonials, riverfront homes, and newer construction on wooded lots.
Home prices in Essex
The median listing price in Essex is $1,032,000.
Top places in Essex
- The Essex River and the historic shipbuilding yards.
- Cox Reservation — salt-marsh trails with river views.
- Essex Town Hall and the village center.
- The Causeway restaurants — the town's famous fried-clam strip.
- Choate Island and the Essex River Basin.
- Chebacco Lake (shared with Hamilton).
Commuting from Essex
- No in-town Commuter Rail; nearest Newburyport/Rockport Line stations in Manchester-by-the-Sea or Ipswich (approximate).
- Typical drive-plus-rail trip to North Station: roughly 60–80 minutes door to door (approximate).
- Approximate drive to downtown Boston: ~40–50 minutes via Route 128 (longer at rush hour).
Schools in Essex
Public schools: Manchester Essex Regional School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Essex FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Essex, MA?
The median listing price in Essex is $1,032,000. Median listing price · Realtor.com · September 24, 2026 - How is the commute from Essex, MA?
No in-town Commuter Rail; nearest Newburyport/Rockport Line stations in Manchester-by-the-Sea or Ipswich (approximate). - Which school district serves Essex, MA?
Essex is served by Manchester Essex Regional School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
Town links
Schools
Transit
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.