Haverhill, Massachusetts Real Estate Market Guide: Prices, Neighborhoods and Timing

Haverhill is a seller's market in September 2026. Homes priced correctly are moving quickly, and the supply of available listings remains well below what would be needed to create balanced conditions. That tightness is the defining feature of the market right now, and it shapes nearly every decision a buyer or seller makes.

Median Sale Price and Inventory

The median sale price for a single-family home in Haverhill is tracking in the low-to-mid $500,000s as of September 2026, up from the mid-$400,000s in 2024. Condos are trading closer to the mid-$300,000s, and multi-family properties, which have always been a significant part of Haverhill's housing fabric, are commanding prices well into the $600,000s and above depending on unit count and condition. You can review current price trend data directly on Redfin's Haverhill housing market page, which is updated frequently and gives a reliable read on median days on market and sale-to-list ratios.

Active inventory in Haverhill has been running at roughly one to two months of supply for most of 2026, compared to the four to six months that would indicate a balanced market. That low supply means buyers are often competing against other offers, and sellers who price strategically are frequently closing at or above list price.

How Haverhill Compares to Nearby Cities

Haverhill's price point sits between Lawrence to the south and Methuen to the west. Lawrence generally carries lower median prices, while Methuen has historically traded at a slight premium. Haverhill offers more housing variety than either: a mix of Victorian-era triple-deckers in the urban core, mid-century colonials on larger lots further from downtown, and newer construction along some of its outer corridors. A detailed side-by-side look at how Haverhill and Methuen have tracked against each other is available through Buyers Brokers Only's 2024 market trends comparison, which covers sale prices, days on market, and list-to-sale ratios for both cities.

Haverhill also draws buyers who have been priced out of southern Essex County towns like Andover and North Andover, where median single-family prices have pushed well above $700,000. For those buyers, Haverhill offers MBTA commuter rail access on the Haverhill Line into North Station in Boston, a walkable downtown, and a wider range of price points, all without the premium associated with the Route 93 corridor towns.

What Is Driving Demand

Three forces are sustaining Haverhill's demand in 2026. First, the commuter rail connection to Boston's North Station makes it viable for workers who need to be in the city a few days a week. Second, Haverhill's downtown along Washington Street and the Merrimack River has seen continued investment in restaurants, breweries, and arts venues, making the city's core more attractive than it was five years ago. Third, the relative affordability compared to communities along Route 128 and Route 93 continues to pull buyers northward along I-495.

2. Haverhill Neighborhoods and Their Housing Stock

Haverhill is a geographically large city with genuinely distinct pockets of housing. Understanding what each area offers in terms of housing type, lot size, and price range is essential before you start touring homes. No two parts of the city feel the same, and the right fit depends entirely on what you are looking for in a property.

Downtown and the Merrimack Riverfront

The downtown core along Washington Street and the streets running toward the Merrimack River is where you find Haverhill's densest housing. Triple-deckers and two-family homes built between the 1890s and 1930s dominate the streetscape here. Lot sizes are small, often under 5,000 square feet, but the proximity to the commuter rail station at Haverhill Station, the Merrimack River waterfront, and the city's restaurants and cultural venues makes this area appealing to buyers who want walkability over yard space.

Multi-family properties in the downtown area are the most common listing type. Single-family homes do appear but are less frequent. Condo conversions of older mill buildings and larger Victorian homes have added inventory over the past several years, and those units typically range from the high $200,000s to the mid-$400,000s depending on size and renovation level.

Bradford

Bradford sits on the south side of the Merrimack River and has a character noticeably different from the urban core. The housing stock here leans heavily toward single-family colonials, capes, and ranches built from the 1940s through the 1970s, with lot sizes generally running from 6,000 to 15,000 square feet. Bradford Avenue and the streets branching off it give the area a quieter, more residential feel, and Bradford Common is a central green space that anchors the neighborhood. For a detailed look at what day-to-day life in Bradford is like, see the article What Is It Actually Like to Live in the Bradford Neighborhood of Haverhill Day to Day on this site.

Bradford's single-family homes have been trading in the mid-$400,000s to low-$600,000s in 2026, with updated kitchens and larger lots pushing prices toward the higher end of that range. The Bradford commuter rail stop on the Haverhill Line gives residents direct access to Boston without needing to drive to the main Haverhill Station.

Plaistow Road Corridor and the North End

The northern sections of Haverhill, running toward the New Hampshire border along Routes 97 and 125, offer the city's most suburban-style housing. Subdivisions from the 1980s and 1990s are common here, with colonial and garrison-style homes on lots ranging from a quarter-acre to over an acre. Prices in this corridor have climbed steadily and now frequently reach the mid-$500,000s to low-$700,000s for well-maintained four-bedroom homes.

The trade-off in the north end is commute distance. Haverhill Station is a 10 to 15-minute drive from many of these streets, and most daily errands require a car. The benefit is more land, newer construction, and in many cases, a quieter setting with proximity to Winnekenni Park and the Kenoza Lake area.

Mount Washington and Pecker Woods

The Mount Washington area on the city's west side and the Pecker Woods section to the northeast represent two of Haverhill's more established residential pockets. Mount Washington features a mix of cape-style homes and split-levels, many with views toward the Merrimack Valley. Pecker Woods, bordering Groveland, has a mix of older ranches and newer infill construction on wooded lots. Both areas tend to see steady turnover and attract buyers looking for detached single-family homes without the density of the downtown neighborhoods.

3. Price Ranges by Property Type

Price varies significantly by property type in Haverhill, and knowing the typical ranges helps buyers set realistic budgets and helps sellers price competitively from day one. The figures below reflect September 2026 market conditions based on recent closed sales. For a deeper look at the current median, see the companion article What Is the Average Home Price in Haverhill Massachusetts Right Now in September 2026 on this site.

Single-Family Homes

Entry-level single-family homes in Haverhill, typically ranches or smaller capes under 1,400 square feet, are starting around $420,000 to $460,000 in September 2026. Mid-range homes with three bedrooms and updated interiors are clustered between $500,000 and $600,000. Larger colonials with four or more bedrooms, two-car garages, and lots over half an acre are trading from the low $600,000s up to the mid-$700,000s in the most sought-after pockets. Homes that need significant work can still be found in the high $300,000s, though those listings move quickly as investors and renovation buyers compete for them.

Condominiums and Townhouses

Condos represent an important entry point into the Haverhill market. One-bedroom units in converted buildings near downtown are selling in the $250,000 to $310,000 range. Two-bedroom condos and townhouse-style units with garage parking are generally priced from $330,000 to $420,000. Newer townhouse developments on the city's outskirts, some of which are part of the residential construction projects completed in the last two years, are pushing toward $450,000 and above when they include two-car garages and modern finishes.

Buyers considering condos should review HOA fees carefully. Monthly fees in Haverhill condo communities range from around $200 to over $500 depending on the building's age, amenities, and reserve fund health. That monthly cost affects purchasing power significantly and should be factored into any budget calculation.

Multi-Family Properties

Two-family homes in Haverhill are trading in the $520,000 to $650,000 range in September 2026, depending heavily on unit size, condition, and location relative to downtown. Three-family properties, which are plentiful in the city's older residential blocks, are generally listed from $650,000 to $800,000, with higher-end renovated examples occasionally exceeding $850,000. Investors and owner-occupants both compete actively for these properties because rental demand in Haverhill remains strong, and gross rents on a well-maintained three-family can reach $5,500 to $7,000 per month combined across all units.

4. Timing the Haverhill Market as a Buyer or Seller

Timing matters in any real estate market, and Haverhill follows a seasonal pattern that is consistent with the broader Greater Boston area, though with some local nuances worth knowing. Understanding when listings peak and when competition softens can help both buyers and sellers make better decisions about when to act.

When Sellers See the Most Activity

Spring remains the strongest season for sellers in Haverhill. Listings that hit the market between late March and early June consistently attract the most buyer traffic and the highest number of competing offers. Inventory rises during this period, but buyer demand rises faster, which keeps the market tilted toward sellers. Homes listed in April and May in 2026 saw average days on market well under 30, with many closing in under two weeks.

Early fall, which is where the market sits right now in September 2026, is the second-best window for sellers. Buyers who did not find a home during the spring rush are still active, relocating households remain engaged, and the inventory bump from summer listings has started to thin out. Sellers listing in September and October often face less competition from other sellers while still benefiting from a motivated buyer pool.

When Buyers Find More Room to Negotiate

November through February is historically the softest stretch of the year for buyer competition in Haverhill. Fewer buyers are actively searching, which means homes that have been sitting on the market since the fall often see price reductions, and sellers are more open to negotiating on contingencies, closing costs, and inspection repairs. The trade-off is that the selection of available homes is also at its lowest during this period.

Buyers who are flexible on timing and willing to search during the winter months often find that they can negotiate more favorable terms, even if the overall price does not drop dramatically. In a market as tight as Haverhill's, the ability to include an inspection contingency or ask for a seller credit can be worth thousands of dollars.

How Long Homes Are Sitting

The median days on market for Haverhill homes in 2026 has been running between 18 and 28 days depending on the month, with spring months at the lower end of that range. Homes priced above $650,000 tend to sit longer, sometimes 45 to 60 days, because the buyer pool at that price point is smaller. Properties priced under $500,000 in move-in condition are frequently under contract within a week. Any home sitting beyond 45 days in the current market is usually carrying a pricing or condition issue that is worth examining closely.

5. What to Know Before You Buy or Sell in Haverhill

Beyond prices and timing, there are several Haverhill-specific factors that can affect a transaction. Getting these right before you go under contract saves time, money, and stress.

Due Diligence Steps Specific to Haverhill

Haverhill's older housing stock, particularly in the downtown and Bradford areas, means buyers need to pay close attention to oil tank status, knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos insulation, and lead paint in homes built before 1978. Massachusetts requires lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 homes, and buyers with children under six have specific rights under state law. Budgeting for a thorough inspection that includes these items is not optional; it is essential.

Flood zone status is another consideration for properties near the Merrimack River or any of the smaller tributaries that run through the city. FEMA maps show that certain parcels near the river carry Zone AE designations, which require flood insurance and can add $1,000 to $3,000 or more annually to ownership costs. Buyers should verify flood zone status for any property within a few blocks of the river before making an offer.

Haverhill's fiscal year 2026 property tax rate and how it compares to prior years is a meaningful cost factor for buyers calculating total monthly ownership costs. The city sets its tax rate annually, and understanding the current rate helps buyers accurately model carrying costs before committing to a purchase price.

Buyers considering Haverhill who are also weighing nearby Lawrence should read the Moving to Lawrence: Complete Relocation Guide on this site, which covers that city's housing stock, price ranges, and commute options in detail.

Working with a Local Expert

Haverhill's market moves fast enough that having an agent who knows the city's micro-markets makes a real difference. Knowing that a particular block near Winnekenni Park tends to attract multiple offers, or that a multi-family on a specific street has had deferred maintenance issues common to its era, is the kind of local knowledge that only comes from working in the market consistently. Taisha Marte works specifically in Haverhill and the surrounding Essex County area, and that focus translates into better guidance for both buyers and sellers navigating this market.