Compare towns
Auburn vs Kensington vs Madbury vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Auburn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+20%).
Kensington has the most expensive homes ($658k median).
Madbury has the most kids (29% under 18).
Chester has the oldest population (median age 47.2).
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 | Auburn | Kensington | Madbury | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 6,119Highest |
2,009Lowest |
2,203 |
5,300 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +20%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+8.3% NH: +4.6% |
+9.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 44.3±5.9 about the NH average |
43.3±5.9 about the NH average |
37.7±2.1Lowest 13% below NH |
47.2±3.8Highest 9% above NH |
| Chester and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.3%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
29%±5.9Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.6%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
| Madbury and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 13.4%±3.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
18.8%±2.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
14.3%±2.6 NH: 20.1% |
17.4%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Kensington and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.3%Highest NH: 40.6% |
48.5% NH: 40.6% |
52.6% NH: 40.6% |
41.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.2%±4.7Highest NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.8Lowest NH: 6% |
4.4%±2.1 NH: 6% |
| Auburn and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $153,253±$6k 55% above NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$148,365±$30k 50% above NH |
$142,212±$19kLowest 44% above NH |
| Kensington and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $600,300±$29k 49% above NH |
$657,700±$47kHighest 63% above NH |
$476,900±$31kLowest 18% above NH |
$552,300±$42k 37% above NH |
| Kensington and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,893±$822Highest 27% above NH |
$1,813±$627 22% above NH |
$1,574±$759Lowest 6% above NH |
— |
| Auburn and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,092Lowest 21% above NH |
$9,637 45% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$8,464 27% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 27.6%±27Highest NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5 NH: 48.2% |
16.7%±15.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
19%±72.7 NH: 48.2% |
| Auburn and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.5% NH: 7.2% |
1.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.9% NH: 72.8% |
92.9% NH: 72.8% |
82.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
97.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Lowest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1987 8 yrs newer than NH |
1984Lowest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1991Highest 12 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 4% above NH |
29 min 7% above NH |
25 minLowest 5% below NH |
35 minHighest 31% above NH |
| Work from home | 26.5%±6.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
14%±3.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16.4%±5.1 NH: 16.8% |
| Auburn and Kensington 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 | #44 of 120 in NH | — | — | #90 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Auburn School District | Kensington School District | Oyster River Coop School District | Chester 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.