Compare towns
Atkinson vs Auburn vs Hooksett vs Sandown
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Atkinson has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
Auburn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+20%).
Hooksett has the most affordable homes ($407k median).
Sandown has the most kids (22.6% under 18).
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 | Auburn | Hooksett | Sandown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,267 |
6,119Lowest |
15,057Highest |
6,628 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+20%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+10.6% NH: +4.6% |
+9.4% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
44.3±5.9 about the NH average |
41.3±1.5 5% below NH |
40.8±3.7Lowest 6% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.3%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
22.6%±6.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Sandown and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
13.4%±3.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
17.3%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
14.2%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7% NH: 40.6% |
55.3%Highest NH: 40.6% |
39.6% NH: 40.6% |
34.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
7.2%±4.7 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
5.1%±2.6Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Auburn 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 48% above NH |
$153,253±$6kHighest 55% above NH |
$117,962±$11kLowest 19% above NH |
$135,040±$25k 36% above NH |
| Auburn 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 38% above NH |
$600,300±$29kHighest 49% above NH |
$407,000±$26kLowest about the NH average |
$483,400±$44k 20% above NH |
| Auburn and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
$1,893±$822Highest 27% above NH |
$1,661±$206 11% above NH |
$1,893±$721Highest 27% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,918 4% above NH |
$8,092 21% above NH |
$6,554Lowest about the NH average |
$8,801Highest 32% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.6%±27Lowest NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
64.1%±48.3 NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Sandown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
2.5% NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
10.8%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6% NH: 72.8% |
93.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
82.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
28 min 4% above NH |
27 minLowest about the NH average |
33 minHighest 25% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
26.5%±6.6 NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
27.4%±13.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Sandown and Auburn 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 | #32 of 120 in NH | #44 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH | #71 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Auburn School District | Hooksett School District | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
NH 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.