Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Bakersfield vs Dublin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethlehem has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.7%).
Bakersfield has the most homeowners (94%).
Dublin has the most expensive homes ($431k 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.

MeasureBethlehemBakersfieldDublin
People
Population
2,537Highest
1,109Lowest
1,688
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±8.5Highest
30% above U.S.
46.4±8Lowest
19% above U.S.
49.3±8.4
27% above U.S.
Bethlehem and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.7%±5.4
U.S.: 22%
13.6%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.4%±3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Dublin and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±5.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.2%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
25%±4.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Bethlehem and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
45.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
39.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.9%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±3.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Bakersfield and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,029±$18k
5% above U.S.
$83,462±$18kLowest
3% above U.S.
$104,659±$14kHighest
30% above U.S.
Dublin and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,300±$22k
13% below U.S.
$271,300±$19kLowest
18% below U.S.
$430,500±$72kHighest
29% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,174±$81Lowest
17% below U.S.
$1,200±$327
15% below U.S.
$1,325±$165Highest
6% below U.S.
Dublin and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,418
74% above U.S.
$3,823Lowest
23% above U.S.
$8,165Highest
162% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.3%±18.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
18.8%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
29.2%±8.9
U.S.: 51.1%
Bethlehem and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
9.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
83.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1968Lowest
12 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
23% below U.S.
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
28 min
4% above U.S.
Work from home
31.2%±12.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.2%±7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
22%±10.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Bethlehem and Dublin 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 #34 of 120 in NH — —
School district Bethlehem School District · Profile School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Contoocook Valley School District
High school in town Profile Senior High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9
— —
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.