Compare towns
Bennington vs Plainfield vs Sanbornton vs Rumney
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bennington has the most affordable homes ($267k median).
Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4%).
Sanbornton has the most expensive homes ($452k median).
Rumney has the oldest population (median age 44.5).
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 | Bennington | Plainfield | Sanbornton | Rumney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,588 |
2,522 |
3,053Highest |
1,458Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.7% NH: +4.6% |
+4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+2% NH: +4.6% |
+1.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.1±7.8 about the NH average |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
41.9±5.4 3% below NH |
44.5±2.3Highest about the NH average |
| Rumney and Bennington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 26%±5.2Highest NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8 NH: 18.2% |
18.1%±5.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.7%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Bennington and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.2%±1.7Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±4.5 NH: 20.1% |
21.5%±4.4 NH: 20.1% |
24.1%±3.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Rumney and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 33.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
46.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
39.7% NH: 40.6% |
41.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.3 NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3 NH: 6% |
1.9%±1.4Lowest NH: 6% |
4.9%±2.3Highest NH: 6% |
| Rumney and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $83,875±$7k 15% below NH |
$122,656±$13kHighest 24% above NH |
$113,750±$41k 15% above NH |
$79,444±$21kLowest 20% below NH |
| Plainfield and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,300±$15kLowest 34% below NH |
$442,400±$47k 10% above NH |
$452,300±$30kHighest 12% above NH |
$309,800±$37k 23% below NH |
| Sanbornton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,292±$150 13% below NH |
$1,674±$181Highest 12% above NH |
$1,289±$198 14% below NH |
$1,064±$100Lowest 29% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,944 11% below NH |
$7,904Highest 19% above NH |
$5,731 14% below NH |
$4,716Lowest 29% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.2%±20.6 NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
29.3%±23.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
48.1%±21.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Rumney and Bennington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.2% NH: 7.2% |
4.8% NH: 7.2% |
10.4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
87.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.9% NH: 72.8% |
77.8% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 38% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
31 min 16% above NH |
33 min 22% above NH |
| Work from home | 14.7%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
15.8%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
14.4%±7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Plainfield and Sanbornton 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 | — | #19 of 120 in NH | #42 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Contoocook Valley School District | Plainfield School District | Winnisquam Regional School District | Rumney 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.