Compare towns
Derry vs Rochester vs Somersworth
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derry has the most expensive homes ($432k median).
Rochester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Somersworth has the most renters (42.2% rent).
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 | Derry | Rochester | Somersworth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 34,116Highest |
33,144 |
12,111Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.6% NH: +4.6% |
+9.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+0.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 40.3±1.6 7% below NH |
43±1.8Highest about the NH average |
38.4±2.7Lowest 11% below NH |
| Rochester and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±2.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±1.7Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.9%±4 NH: 18.2% |
| Derry and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.2%±1.6 NH: 20.1% |
19.6%±1.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
14%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
27.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
31.4% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.5Highest NH: 6% |
4.3%±1Lowest NH: 6% |
4.9%±2 NH: 6% |
| Derry and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $108,944±$7kHighest 10% above NH |
$80,836±$3k 18% below NH |
$74,504±$13kLowest 25% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $432,000±$17kHighest 7% above NH |
$279,100±$10kLowest 31% below NH |
$318,400±$23k 21% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,547±$138Highest 4% above NH |
$1,369±$72Lowest 8% below NH |
$1,477±$134 about the NH average |
| Derry and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,103Highest 22% above NH |
$5,334Lowest 20% below NH |
$6,805 about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±9 NH: 48.2% |
46.3%±7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
56.3%±14.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Somersworth and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.3% NH: 7.2% |
11.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
66% NH: 72.8% |
57.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
1978 1 yr older than NH |
1967Lowest 12 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 16% above NH |
26 min about the NH average |
26 minLowest 3% below NH |
| Work from home | 16%±2.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.8%±2.1 NH: 16.8% |
11.7%±3.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Derry and Rochester 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 | #60 of 120 in NH | #98 of 120 in NH | #117 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District | Rochester School District | Somersworth School District |
| High school in town | Pinkerton Academy | Spaulding High School | Somersworth High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.9Highest |
13.2 |
11.4Lowest |
| 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.