Compare towns

Eliot vs Milford vs Topsham

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Eliot has the most expensive homes ($499k median).
Milford has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Topsham has the most affordable homes ($361k 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.

MeasureEliotMilfordTopsham
People
Population
7,146Lowest
16,337Highest
9,706
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+8.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.8±5.9Highest
31% above U.S.
36.8±2.5Lowest
5% below U.S.
44.7±4
15% above U.S.
Eliot and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
19.9%±3.6
U.S.: 22%
Milford and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.8%±6.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.1%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
24.4%±3.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Eliot and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
43.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
37.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
50%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2%±1.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
4.9%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Topsham and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,522±$10kHighest
26% above U.S.
$97,768±$14k
21% above U.S.
$91,028±$10kLowest
13% above U.S.
Eliot and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$498,900±$62kHighest
50% above U.S.
$398,800±$20k
20% above U.S.
$360,800±$20kLowest
8% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,948±$471Highest
38% above U.S.
$1,661±$126
18% above U.S.
$1,355±$642Lowest
4% below U.S.
Eliot and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,549
46% above U.S.
$7,522Highest
141% above U.S.
$4,259Lowest
37% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
55.1%±20.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
49.6%±15.8
U.S.: 51.1%
40.3%±12.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Eliot and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.8%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
64.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Lowest
1 yr older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1980
same as U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
15% below U.S.
27 minHighest
about the U.S. average
24 min
11% below U.S.
Work from home
17.4%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.6%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.2%±4.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Eliot and Topsham 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 #19 of 133 in ME #55 of 120 in NH #66 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 35/MSAD 35 Milford School District RSU 75/MSAD 75
High school in town None in town Milford High School Mt Ararat High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.7Lowest
12.2Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.