Compare towns
Exeter vs Atkinson vs Rochester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Exeter has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.2%).
Atkinson has the most homeowners (92.6%).
Rochester has the most affordable homes ($279k 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.
| Measure | Exeter | Atkinson | Rochester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 16,151 |
7,267Lowest |
33,144Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.2% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.8±2.3 6% above NH |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
43±1.8Lowest about the NH average |
| Kids under 18 | 17%±2.7 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±1.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Rochester and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.4%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.6%±1.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Atkinson and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
42.7% NH: 40.6% |
27.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.8Highest NH: 6% |
5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
4.3%±1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Exeter and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $110,346±$13k 11% above NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$80,836±$3kLowest 18% below NH |
| Atkinson and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $456,600±$21k 13% above NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
$279,100±$10kLowest 31% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,856±$223Highest 24% above NH |
$1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
$1,369±$72 8% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,814Highest 32% above NH |
$6,918 4% above NH |
$5,334Lowest 20% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 59%±11.3 NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
46.3%±7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.7% NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.1% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
66%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1980Highest 1 yr newer than NH |
1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 7% below NH |
28 minHighest 6% above NH |
26 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 19.9%±3.7 NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.8%±2.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Exeter 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 | #22 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH | #98 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Exeter School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Rochester School District |
| High school in town | Exeter High School | None in town | Spaulding High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Lowest |
— | 13.2Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 59 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.