Compare towns

Conway vs Exeter vs Ogunquit vs Madison

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Conway has the most affordable homes ($314k median).
Exeter has the youngest population (median age 45.8).
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Madison has the most kids (23.1% under 18).

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.

MeasureConwayExeterOgunquitMadison
People
Population
10,141
16,151Highest
1,379Lowest
2,680
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+12.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+76.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
55±4.1
41% above U.S.
45.8±2.3Lowest
18% above U.S.
62.8±4.8Highest
61% above U.S.
50.3±9.7
29% above U.S.
Ogunquit and Conway are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.4%±2.4
U.S.: 22%
17%±2.7
U.S.: 22%
5.7%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.1%±6.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
Madison and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.1%±5.1
U.S.: 17.2%
24.4%±2.8
U.S.: 17.2%
43.6%±10.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
23.1%±5.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Ogunquit and Conway are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
59.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
63.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5%±3
U.S.: 6.4%
6.1%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.8
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Exeter and Conway are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$64,385±$8kLowest
20% below U.S.
$110,346±$13k
37% above U.S.
$114,259±$56kHighest
42% above U.S.
$102,697±$11k
27% above U.S.
Ogunquit and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$314,000±$43kLowest
6% below U.S.
$456,600±$21k
37% above U.S.
$875,700±$79kHighest
163% above U.S.
$388,700±$36k
17% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,095±$141Lowest
23% below U.S.
$1,856±$223Highest
31% above U.S.
—
$1,556±$256
10% above U.S.
Exeter and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,087
31% above U.S.
$8,814Highest
183% above U.S.
$4,473
43% above U.S.
$4,074Lowest
31% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.3%±13.9
U.S.: 51.1%
59%±11.3
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±61.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
69.2%±46Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Madison and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
69.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
94.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1978Lowest
2 yrs older than U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
22% below U.S.
25 min
6% below U.S.
26 minHighest
about the U.S. average
22 min
16% below U.S.
Work from home
13.4%±4.6
U.S.: 15.1%
19.9%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
43.3%±12.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
8%±4.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #76 of 120 in NH #22 of 120 in NH — —
School district Conway School District Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Exeter School District — Madison School District
High school in town Kennett High School Exeter High School — None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
11.7Lowest
12.1Highest
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 59 photos → 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.