Compare towns

Bakersfield vs Derry vs Groton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bakersfield has the oldest population (median age 46.4).
Derry has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.6%).
Groton has the most affordable homes ($243k 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.

MeasureBakersfieldDerryGroton
People
Population
1,109
34,116Highest
967Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
46.4±8Highest
19% above U.S.
40.3±1.6Lowest
4% above U.S.
45.7±5.8
17% above U.S.
Bakersfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.6%±3.5
U.S.: 22%
20.7%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
13.3%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
21.2%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.2%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.5%±3
U.S.: 17.2%
Bakersfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
38.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.1%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±5.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$83,462±$18k
3% above U.S.
$108,944±$7kHighest
35% above U.S.
$77,250±$14kLowest
4% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,300±$19k
18% below U.S.
$432,000±$17kHighest
30% above U.S.
$243,000±$70kLowest
27% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,200±$327
15% below U.S.
$1,547±$138Highest
9% above U.S.
$288±$151Lowest
80% below U.S.
Derry and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,823
23% above U.S.
$8,103Highest
160% above U.S.
$3,659Lowest
17% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
18.8%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
51.6%±9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
12.5%±72.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Derry and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94%
U.S.: 65.2%
70.2%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1983Highest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1981Lowest
1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
31 min
17% above U.S.
30 minLowest
15% above U.S.
Work from home
14.2%±7
U.S.: 15.1%
16%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.3%±7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Derry and Bakersfield 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 — #60 of 120 in NH —
School district Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District —
High school in town None in town Pinkerton Academy —
Students per teacherat that high school —
13.9
—
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.