Compare towns

Arundel vs Hooksett vs Bowdoin

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Arundel has the shortest commute (23 min average).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Bowdoin has the most affordable homes ($293k median).

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.

MeasureArundelHooksettBowdoin
People
Population
4,418
15,057Highest
3,188Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40.9±6.4Lowest
5% above U.S.
41.3±1.5
6% above U.S.
44.3±10Highest
14% above U.S.
Bowdoin and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.4%±5.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
17.4%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.1%±6.2
U.S.: 22%
Arundel and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.9%±3.4
U.S.: 17.2%
17.3%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
14.1%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Hooksett and Arundel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
29.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
39.6%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
30.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
8.9%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.5%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,597±$17k
26% above U.S.
$117,962±$11kHighest
46% above U.S.
$91,239±$13kLowest
13% above U.S.
Hooksett and Arundel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$421,300±$62kHighest
27% above U.S.
$407,000±$26k
22% above U.S.
$292,800±$71kLowest
12% below U.S.
Arundel and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,607±$495Lowest
14% above U.S.
$1,661±$206Highest
18% above U.S.
—
Hooksett and Arundel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,763
21% above U.S.
$6,554Highest
110% above U.S.
$3,375Lowest
8% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.2%±22.7
U.S.: 51.1%
41.7%±16.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±42.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Hooksett and Arundel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
11%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
80.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1992Highest
12 yrs newer than U.S.
1988Lowest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1992Highest
12 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
14% below U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
32 minHighest
20% above U.S.
Work from home
7%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.4%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.7%±7
U.S.: 15.1%
Hooksett and Bowdoin 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 #7 of 133 in ME #30 of 120 in NH #28 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 21 Hooksett School District RSU 75/MSAD 75
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.