Compare towns

Calais vs Sunapee 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%).
Sunapee has the oldest population (median age 56.7).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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.

MeasureCalaisSunapeeWorcester
People
Population
1,713
3,416Highest
831Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42±8.6Lowest
8% above U.S.
56.7±1.4Highest
46% above U.S.
47±2.7
21% above U.S.
Kids under 18
22.5%±5.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
9.9%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
12.8%±3.9
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
21.6%±5.2
U.S.: 17.2%
33.3%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Sunapee and Calais 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%
50.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
53%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.4%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.5%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.9%±4.7
U.S.: 6.4%
Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$100,625±$27k
25% above U.S.
$101,393±$20kHighest
26% above U.S.
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below U.S.
Sunapee and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$390,300±$36k
17% above U.S.
$393,000±$51kHighest
18% above U.S.
$271,100±$27kLowest
19% below U.S.
Sunapee and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,408±$392
about the U.S. average
$1,713±$451Highest
21% above U.S.
$1,023±$136Lowest
28% below U.S.
Sunapee and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,586Highest
111% above U.S.
$4,400Lowest
41% above U.S.
$4,421
42% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49%±38.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
34.6%±10.5
U.S.: 51.1%
25.5%±37Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Calais and Sunapee 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%
12.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
75.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
18% above U.S.
33 minHighest
24% above U.S.
29 minLowest
9% above U.S.
Work from home
23.4%±7.1
U.S.: 15.1%
9.5%±4.5Lowest
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 — #14 of 120 in NH —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Sunapee School District Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None in town Sunapee Sr. High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.9
—
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.