Compare towns

Epping vs Stoneham 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%).
Stoneham has the most expensive homes ($672k median).
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.

MeasureEppingStonehamHampstead
People
Population
7,430Lowest
23,355Highest
9,102
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+8.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.1±3.5
16% above U.S.
42.2±2.2Lowest
8% above U.S.
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%±4.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
20.8%±2.5
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
Hampstead and Stoneham 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%
20.4%±2.2Lowest
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%
55.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
44.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.7%±1.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$104,220±$7kLowest
29% above U.S.
$113,964±$10kHighest
41% above U.S.
$112,348±$18k
39% above U.S.
Stoneham 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.
$671,900±$26kHighest
102% above U.S.
$521,100±$45k
57% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,742±$576
23% above U.S.
$2,035±$142Highest
44% above U.S.
$1,299±$149Lowest
8% below U.S.
Stoneham 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.
$6,523Lowest
109% above U.S.
$8,634Highest
177% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
67.8%±25.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
41.9%±8.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.1%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
Epping and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
71%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
82.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
1964Lowest
16 yrs older than U.S.
1988
8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
22% above U.S.
28 minLowest
5% above U.S.
30 min
14% above U.S.
Work from home
24%±6.9
U.S.: 15.1%
24.6%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
21%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Stoneham and Epping 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 #117 of 282 in MA #49 of 120 in NH
School district Epping School District Stoneham Hampstead School District
High school in town Epping High School Stoneham High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.3Lowest
10.7Highest
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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.