Compare towns

Epping vs Norton vs Hampstead

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Norton has the youngest population (median age 39.6).
Hampstead has the most kids (21.3% 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.

MeasureEppingNortonHampstead
People
Population
7,430Lowest
19,240Highest
9,102
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.1±3.5
16% above U.S.
39.6±1.2Lowest
about the U.S. average
45.3±6.1Highest
16% above U.S.
Hampstead and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.7%±4.8
U.S.: 22%
17.3%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
Hampstead and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.6%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.4%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.8%±4
U.S.: 17.2%
Epping and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
44.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
12.9%±1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$104,220±$7kLowest
29% above U.S.
$124,535±$11kHighest
54% above U.S.
$112,348±$18k
39% above U.S.
Norton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$436,900±$35kLowest
31% above U.S.
$501,400±$27k
51% above U.S.
$521,100±$45kHighest
57% above U.S.
Hampstead and Norton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,742±$576
23% above U.S.
$1,911±$375Highest
35% above U.S.
$1,299±$149Lowest
8% below U.S.
Norton and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,936
122% above U.S.
$5,929Lowest
90% above U.S.
$8,634Highest
177% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
67.8%±25.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
46.6%±8.9
U.S.: 51.1%
44.1%±20.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Epping and Norton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
83.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
82.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
1982Lowest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1988
8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
22% above U.S.
33 minHighest
23% above U.S.
30 minLowest
14% above U.S.
Work from home
24%±6.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
21%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Epping and Hampstead 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 #77 of 120 in NH #173 of 282 in MA #49 of 120 in NH
School district Epping School District Norton Hampstead School District
High school in town Epping High School Norton High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.3Lowest
10.9Highest
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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.