Compare towns
Epsom vs Thornton vs Chichester vs Epping
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Epsom has the most affordable homes ($338k median).
Thornton has the shortest commute (23 min average).
Chichester has the most kids (20.3% under 18).
Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
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 | Epsom | Thornton | Chichester | Epping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,939 |
2,799 |
2,745Lowest |
7,430Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9% NH: +4.6% |
+8.8% NH: +4.6% |
+5.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+11.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 47.1±3.4 9% above NH |
51.1±3.4Highest 18% above NH |
43±3.3Lowest about the NH average |
45.1±3.5 4% above NH |
| Thornton and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.2%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
13.9%±4.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.3%±4.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
18.7%±4.8 NH: 18.2% |
| Chichester and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.7%±3.3 NH: 20.1% |
19%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
17.2%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
22.6%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Epping and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 40.6% NH: 40.6% |
46.3%Highest NH: 40.6% |
37.4% NH: 40.6% |
37%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.4Highest NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.9 NH: 6% |
3.9%±1.7Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±3.3 NH: 6% |
| Epsom and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $97,941±$13k about the NH average |
$90,022±$17kLowest 9% below NH |
$109,297±$13kHighest 10% above NH |
$104,220±$7k 5% above NH |
| Chichester and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $338,400±$19kLowest 16% below NH |
$351,900±$20k 13% below NH |
$409,300±$26k about the NH average |
$436,900±$35kHighest 9% above NH |
| Epping and Chichester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,212±$437Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,270±$428 15% below NH |
$2,055±$275Highest 38% above NH |
$1,742±$576 17% above NH |
| Chichester and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,210 7% below NH |
$5,032Lowest 25% below NH |
$7,189Highest 8% above NH |
$6,936 4% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 71.2%±19.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
57.7%±24.7 NH: 48.2% |
55.6%±34.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
67.8%±25.9 NH: 48.2% |
| Epsom and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
9.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
6% NH: 7.2% |
4.7% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.6% NH: 72.8% |
88.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
1984Lowest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
1989Highest 10 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 15% above NH |
23 minLowest 15% below NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
| Work from home | 13.1%±4.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
29.8%±9.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
19%±8 NH: 16.8% |
24%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
| Thornton 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 | #69 of 120 in NH | #18 of 120 in NH | #75 of 120 in NH | #77 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Epsom School District | Thornton School District | Chichester School District | Epping School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Epping High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 9.3 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | 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.