Compare towns
Atkinson vs Andover vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Atkinson has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
Andover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.1%).
Salem has the most affordable homes ($473k 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.
| Measure | Atkinson | Andover | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,267Lowest |
36,652Highest |
30,964 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
42.9±1Lowest 10% above U.S. |
44.6±2.7 15% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.6%±1.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.2%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 27.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.6%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
75.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
38.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.1%±0.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Andover and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $146,380±$32k 81% above U.S. |
$172,606±$16kHighest 114% above U.S. |
$110,490±$9kLowest 37% above U.S. |
| Andover and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $555,200±$65k 67% above U.S. |
$855,600±$22kHighest 157% above U.S. |
$473,300±$16kLowest 42% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,140±$32Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$2,201±$129Highest 56% above U.S. |
$1,625±$146 15% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,918Lowest 122% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$6,992 124% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
39.7%±7.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.5%±9.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Atkinson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
75.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest same as U.S. |
1973Lowest 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 7% above U.S. |
29 minHighest 10% above U.S. |
29 minHighest 10% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
30.4%±2.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.3%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #32 of 120 in NH | #68 of 282 in MA | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Andover · Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | Salem School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.8Highest |
11.2Lowest |
| 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.