Compare towns
Carmel vs Hooksett vs Milford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Carmel has the oldest population (median age 46.4).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Milford has the most affordable homes ($176k 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 | Carmel | Hooksett | Milford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,941Lowest |
15,057Highest |
3,095 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
0%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.4±4.5Highest 19% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
43.3±6 11% above U.S. |
| Carmel and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
17.1%±5.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Carmel and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 16.5%±5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.2%±6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hooksett and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 17.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
18.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $82,188±$22kLowest about the U.S. average |
$117,962±$11kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$85,111±$26k 5% above U.S. |
| Hooksett and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $256,800±$37k 23% below U.S. |
$407,000±$26kHighest 22% above U.S. |
$176,400±$48kLowest 47% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,276±$187 10% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206Highest 18% above U.S. |
$943±$57Lowest 33% below U.S. |
| Hooksett and Carmel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,662 15% below U.S. |
$6,554Highest 110% above U.S. |
$1,962Lowest 37% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±38.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.6%±48.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Carmel and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 13.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1996Highest 16 yrs newer than U.S. |
1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1987Lowest 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% below U.S. |
27 minHighest about the U.S. average |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 6.5%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.9%±7.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hooksett and Milford 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 | #77 of 133 in ME | #30 of 120 in NH | #75 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 87/MSAD 23 | Hooksett School District | Milford Public Schools |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.