Compare towns

Belgrade vs Rye vs Readfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Belgrade has the most kids (22.6% under 18).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k 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.

MeasureBelgradeRyeReadfield
People
Population
3,351
5,611Highest
2,651Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
0%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
47.3±14.6Lowest
22% above U.S.
55.1±3Highest
42% above U.S.
48.1±7.6
24% above U.S.
Rye and Readfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.6%±6.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
18.7%±3.9
U.S.: 22%
Belgrade and Readfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.9%±6.4
U.S.: 17.2%
31.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.3%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Rye and Belgrade are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
49.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
61.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±3.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.3%±2
U.S.: 6.4%
Belgrade and Readfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$88,338±$13k
9% above U.S.
$140,655±$39kHighest
74% above U.S.
$86,504±$8kLowest
7% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$312,200±$44kLowest
6% below U.S.
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
$326,400±$20k
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$857±$108Lowest
39% below U.S.
$1,781±$156Highest
26% above U.S.
$1,125±$844
20% below U.S.
Rye and Readfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,859Lowest
8% below U.S.
$7,519Highest
141% above U.S.
$3,392
9% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
17.2%±35.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.3%±16.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
31.3%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
Rye and Readfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.8%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
89.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
13% below U.S.
29 min
9% above U.S.
30 minHighest
12% above U.S.
Work from home
20.4%±8.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
24.3%±14.9
U.S.: 15.1%
Rye and Readfield 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 #71 of 133 in ME #2 of 120 in NH #20 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 18 Rye School District RSU 38
High school in town None in town None in town Maranacook Community High Sch
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.5
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.