Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Hampton vs Rye
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 has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.1%).
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.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Hampton | Rye |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,537Lowest |
16,426Highest |
5,611 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.6±8.5Lowest 17% above NH |
55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
55.1±3 27% above NH |
| Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.7%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Rye and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±5.5Lowest NH: 20.1% |
30.9%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Rye 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% |
42.8%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±0.9Lowest NH: 6% |
3.1%±1.1Highest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3 NH: 6% |
| Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,029±$18kLowest 14% below NH |
$95,233±$9k 4% below NH |
$140,655±$39kHighest 42% above NH |
| Rye and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,300±$22kLowest 28% below NH |
$550,200±$39k 37% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,174±$81Lowest 21% below NH |
$1,628±$94 9% above NH |
$1,781±$156Highest 19% above NH |
| Rye 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 |
$6,813 about the NH average |
$7,519Highest 13% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.3%±18.3Lowest NH: 48.2% |
56.8%±10.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton and Rye 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% |
5.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.9% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.3% NH: 72.8% |
73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
85.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973 6 yrs older than NH |
1978Highest 1 yr older than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 24% below NH |
26 min 3% below NH |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
| Work from home | 31.2%±12.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
21.7%±3.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6 NH: 16.8% |
| Bethlehem and Rye 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 | #2 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Bethlehem School District · Profile School District | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Rye 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 |
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| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.