Compare towns
East Kingston vs Nelson vs South Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
East Kingston has the oldest population (median age 51.7).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
South Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
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 | East Kingston | Nelson | South Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,311Highest |
648Lowest |
984 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.6% NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 51.7±8.9Highest 19% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
| East Kingston and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.1%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
23.3%±5.8 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.1%±5.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| East Kingston and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
52.4% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±1.7Highest NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| East Kingston and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $138,194±$38k 40% above NH |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
$152,500±$44kHighest 54% above NH |
| South Hampton and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $575,500±$56k 43% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$661,100±$45kHighest 64% above NH |
| South Hampton and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
| South Hampton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,604Highest 44% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
$9,109 37% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
30%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
| Nelson and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 14.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.4%Highest NH: 72.8% |
90.2% NH: 72.8% |
88.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1994Highest 15 yrs newer than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 19% above NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
| Work from home | 24.1%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | East Kingston School District | Nelson School District | South Hampton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 9 photos → | 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.