Compare towns
Calais vs Keene vs Worcester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Keene has the shortest commute (17 min average).
Worcester has the oldest population (median age 47).
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 | Calais | Keene | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,713 |
22,939Highest |
831Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42±8.6 8% above U.S. |
37.6±2.3Lowest 3% below U.S. |
47±2.7Highest 21% above U.S. |
| Worcester and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 22.5%±5.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±1.6 U.S.: 22% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 21.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Calais and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
53% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.4%±3.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
13.8%±1.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.9%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $100,625±$27kHighest 25% above U.S. |
$78,445±$8k about the U.S. average |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below U.S. |
| Calais and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $390,300±$36kHighest 17% above U.S. |
$252,500±$12kLowest 24% below U.S. |
$271,100±$27k 19% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,408±$392Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,342±$68 5% below U.S. |
$1,023±$136Lowest 28% below U.S. |
| Calais and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,586 111% above U.S. |
$6,812Highest 118% above U.S. |
$4,421Lowest 42% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49%±38.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.5%±6.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
25.5%±37Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Calais and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
55.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1961Lowest 19 yrs older than U.S. |
1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 18% above U.S. |
17 minLowest 35% below U.S. |
29 min 9% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 23.4%±7.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.6%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.6%±4.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Worcester and Calais 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 | — | #81 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Keene School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | Keene High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.3 |
— |
| 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.