Compare towns
Benton vs Hampton vs Stark
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Benton has the oldest population (median age 62.1).
Hampton has the most expensive homes ($550k median).
Stark has the most affordable homes ($198k 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.
| Measure | Benton | Hampton | Stark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 386Lowest |
16,426Highest |
419 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +5.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-14%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 62.1±1.9Highest 43% above NH |
55.8±2.1Lowest 29% above NH |
58.8±3.6 36% above NH |
| Benton and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 6.7%±4.2Lowest NH: 18.2% |
11.6%±2.3 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±6.9Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Stark and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 37.3%±12.5Highest NH: 20.1% |
30.9%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
27.2%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Benton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 18.2% NH: 40.6% |
42.8%Highest NH: 40.6% |
17.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.4Lowest NH: 6% |
3.1%±1.1 NH: 6% |
3.6%±4.7Highest NH: 6% |
| Stark and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $67,895±$4kLowest 31% below NH |
$95,233±$9kHighest 4% below NH |
$71,750±$23k 28% below NH |
| Hampton and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,300±$46k 28% below NH |
$550,200±$39kHighest 37% above NH |
$197,700±$34kLowest 51% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,628±$94 9% above NH |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,922 56% below NH |
$6,813Highest about the NH average |
$2,636Lowest 60% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest NH: 48.2% |
56.8%±10.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.7%±100 NH: 48.2% |
| Benton and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 15.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.3% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.1% NH: 72.8% |
73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 1 yr newer than NH |
1978 1 yr older than NH |
1968Lowest 11 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above NH |
26 minLowest 3% below NH |
34 minHighest 27% above NH |
| Work from home | 2.6%±3.4Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.7%±3.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
13.9%±6.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Hampton and Stark 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 | — | #31 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | — | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Stark School District |
| High school in town | — | Winnacunnet High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.1 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.