Compare towns

Bartlett vs Reading vs Alstead

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bartlett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.8%).
Reading has the most people working from home (22.9%).
Alstead has the most affordable homes ($272k 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.

MeasureBartlettReadingAlstead
People
Population
3,281Highest
699Lowest
1,551
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+14.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
57.4±4.7Highest
48% above U.S.
51.1±7.6Lowest
31% above U.S.
56±3.3
44% above U.S.
Bartlett and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
7.5%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
18.5%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
Reading and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
36.1%±9.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
28.2%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
27.8%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bartlett and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
36.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
46%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.1%±0.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.1%±2.5
U.S.: 6.4%
3.4%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Alstead and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$59,754±$9kLowest
26% below U.S.
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above U.S.
$64,526±$11k
20% below U.S.
Reading and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$371,400±$78k
12% above U.S.
$377,200±$72kHighest
13% above U.S.
$271,600±$37kLowest
18% below U.S.
Reading and Bartlett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,676±$97Highest
19% above U.S.
$1,100±$331Lowest
22% below U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,512Lowest
19% below U.S.
$5,754Highest
84% above U.S.
$5,322
71% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
68.5%±37.9
U.S.: 51.1%
63.3%±31.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
72.1%±22.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Alstead and Bartlett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%
U.S.: 65.2%
84.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
76%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1969Lowest
11 yrs older than U.S.
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minLowest
16% above U.S.
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
32 min
20% above U.S.
Work from home
13.5%±7.1
U.S.: 15.1%
22.9%±10.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±5.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Reading and Bartlett 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 #74 of 120 in NH — —
School district Bartlett School District Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Fall Mountain Regional School District
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.