Compare towns
Appleton vs Exeter vs Hampstead vs Liberty
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Appleton has the oldest population (median age 49.2).
Exeter has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.2%).
Hampstead has the most expensive homes ($521k median).
Liberty has the youngest population (median age 40.5).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Appleton | Exeter | Hampstead | Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,360 |
16,151Highest |
9,102 |
969Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.2±7.4Highest 26% above U.S. |
45.8±2.3 18% above U.S. |
45.3±6.1 16% above U.S. |
40.5±6.8Lowest 4% above U.S. |
| Appleton and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.3%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17%±2.7 U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.4%±4.6 U.S.: 22% |
| Hampstead and Liberty are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.1%±9.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.4%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.8%±4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.8%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Appleton and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
59.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
43.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.1%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
0.4%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Exeter and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $53,618±$19kLowest 34% below U.S. |
$110,346±$13k 37% above U.S. |
$112,348±$18kHighest 39% above U.S. |
$71,146±$15k 12% below U.S. |
| Hampstead and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $235,600±$33k 29% below U.S. |
$456,600±$21k 37% above U.S. |
$521,100±$45kHighest 57% above U.S. |
$229,600±$31kLowest 31% below U.S. |
| Hampstead and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,104±$82 22% below U.S. |
$1,856±$223Highest 31% above U.S. |
$1,299±$149 8% below U.S. |
$559±$193Lowest 60% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588 15% above U.S. |
$8,814Highest 183% above U.S. |
$8,634 177% above U.S. |
$2,434Lowest 22% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 85.4%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
59%±11.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.1%±20.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
38.5%±42.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Appleton and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
14.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
69.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
84.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1979Lowest 1 yr older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 6% below U.S. |
30 min 14% above U.S. |
38 minHighest 45% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.9%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
21%±4.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.4%±8.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hampstead and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | #22 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Appleton Public Schools | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Exeter School District | Hampstead School District | RSU 03/MSAD 03 |
| High school in town | None in town | Exeter High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.1 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 59 photos → | None yet | None yet |
U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.