Compare towns

Derry vs Ryegate vs Rochester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Derry has the most expensive homes ($432k median).
Ryegate has the most affordable homes ($219k median).
Rochester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).

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.

MeasureDerryRyegateRochester
People
Population
34,116Highest
1,059Lowest
33,144
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40.3±1.6Lowest
4% above U.S.
41.2±2.6
6% above U.S.
43±1.8Highest
11% above U.S.
Rochester and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.7%±2.1
U.S.: 22%
23.2%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Ryegate and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.2%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.1%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.6%±1.9
U.S.: 17.2%
Ryegate and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
29.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
27.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.1%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.4%±1.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.3%±1
U.S.: 6.4%
Derry and Rochester 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
35% above U.S.
$66,484±$15kLowest
18% below U.S.
$80,836±$3k
about the U.S. average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$432,000±$17kHighest
30% above U.S.
$219,300±$32kLowest
34% below U.S.
$279,100±$10k
16% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,547±$138Highest
9% above U.S.
$908±$236Lowest
36% below U.S.
$1,369±$72
3% below U.S.
Derry and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,103Highest
160% above U.S.
$3,472Lowest
11% above U.S.
$5,334
71% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.6%±9
U.S.: 51.1%
55.9%±29.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
46.3%±7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Ryegate and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
14.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
70.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
84.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
66%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1949Lowest
31 yrs older than U.S.
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
28 min
5% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
Work from home
16%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
8.2%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.8%±2.1
U.S.: 15.1%
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
School district Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District — Rochester School District
High school in town Pinkerton Academy — Spaulding High School
Students per teacherat that high school
13.9Highest
—
13.2Lowest
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.