Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Hampton Beach vs Hampton vs North Hampton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethlehem has the most affordable homes ($288k median).
Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
North Hampton has the highest household income ($146k).

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.

MeasureBethlehemHampton BeachHamptonNorth Hampton
People
Population
2,537Lowest
2,605
16,426Highest
4,543
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.7%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+14.2%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+5.1%
NH: +4.6%
+5.5%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
50.6±8.5
17% above NH
60.4±2.4Highest
39% above NH
55.8±2.1
29% above NH
50.5±3.3Lowest
17% above NH
Kids under 18
17.7%±5.4
NH: 18.2%
3.1%±2.8Lowest
NH: 18.2%
11.6%±2.3
NH: 18.2%
19.2%±5.4Highest
NH: 18.2%
North Hampton and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±5.5
NH: 20.1%
33.7%±4.1Highest
NH: 20.1%
30.9%±2.8
NH: 20.1%
26%±4.9Lowest
NH: 20.1%
Hampton Beach and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
45.1%
NH: 40.6%
34%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
42.8%
NH: 40.6%
54.5%Highest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.9%±0.9
NH: 6%
0.6%±0.7Lowest
NH: 6%
3.1%±1.1Highest
NH: 6%
2.5%±1.5
NH: 6%
Hampton and North Hampton 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
14% below NH
$82,557±$17kLowest
17% below NH
$95,233±$9k
4% below NH
$146,458±$29kHighest
48% above NH
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,300±$22kLowest
28% below NH
$508,900±$76k
26% above NH
$550,200±$39k
37% above NH
$670,400±$61kHighest
67% above NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,174±$81Lowest
21% below NH
$1,375±$130
8% below NH
$1,628±$94
9% above NH
$1,805±$106Highest
21% above NH
North Hampton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,418Lowest
19% below NH
$6,115
8% below NH
$6,813
about the NH average
$8,529Highest
28% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.3%±18.3
NH: 48.2%
61.7%±20.2Highest
NH: 48.2%
56.8%±10.4
NH: 48.2%
23.5%±21Lowest
NH: 48.2%
Hampton Beach and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.1%Highest
NH: 7.2%
8.2%
NH: 7.2%
5.6%
NH: 7.2%
2.9%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.3%
NH: 72.8%
62.9%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
73.8%
NH: 72.8%
91.3%Highest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
6 yrs older than NH
1971Lowest
8 yrs older than NH
1978
1 yr older than NH
1984Highest
5 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
24% below NH
25 min
5% below NH
26 minHighest
3% below NH
25 min
8% below NH
Work from home
31.2%±12.9Highest
NH: 16.8%
26.9%±6.1
NH: 16.8%
21.7%±3.3Lowest
NH: 16.8%
25.9%±6.9
NH: 16.8%
Bethlehem and Hampton Beach 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 — #31 of 120 in NH #12 of 120 in NH
School district Bethlehem School District · Profile School District — Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District North Hampton School District
High school in town Profile Senior High School — Winnacunnet High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9Lowest
—
10.1Highest
—
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.