Compare towns
Exeter vs Rye vs Hooksett vs Bedford
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%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Hooksett has the most affordable homes ($407k median).
Bedford has the most kids (22.7% 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.
| Measure | Exeter | Rye | Hooksett | Bedford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 16,151 |
5,611Lowest |
15,057 |
23,746Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+10.6% NH: +4.6% |
+10% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.8±2.3 6% above NH |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
45±2.2 4% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 17%±2.7Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4 NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
22.7%±2.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Bedford and Rye 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% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
20.5%±2.1 NH: 20.1% |
| Rye 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% NH: 40.6% |
61.5% NH: 40.6% |
39.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
63%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.8 NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
4.7%±2.1 NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $110,346±$13kLowest 11% above NH |
$140,655±$39k 42% above NH |
$117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$167,418±$12kHighest 69% above NH |
| Bedford and Rye 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 |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
$407,000±$26kLowest about the NH average |
$612,100±$26k 52% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,856±$223 24% above NH |
$1,781±$156 19% above NH |
$1,661±$206Lowest 11% above NH |
$2,099±$274Highest 41% above NH |
| Bedford and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,814 32% above NH |
$7,519 13% above NH |
$6,554Lowest about the NH average |
$9,803Highest 47% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 59%±11.3 NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
59.4%±15.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Bedford 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% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
2.7%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
85.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
80.6% NH: 72.8% |
82.9% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
1990Highest 11 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 7% below NH |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
25 min 5% below NH |
| Work from home | 19.9%±3.7 NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
27%±3.4 NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Bedford 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 | #2 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH | #7 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Exeter School District | Rye School District | Hooksett School District | Bedford School District |
| High school in town | Exeter High School | None in town | None in town | Bedford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Lowest |
— | — | 13.5Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 59 photos → | 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.