Compare towns
Franconia vs Hampton Falls vs Lyme vs Bethlehem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franconia has the oldest population (median age 55.6).
Hampton Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
Lyme has the most kids (19.5% under 18).
Bethlehem has the most affordable homes ($288k 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 | Franconia | Hampton Falls | Lyme | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,060Lowest |
2,328 |
1,710 |
2,537Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+7.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+1.7% NH: +4.6% |
-1.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.6±7Highest 28% above NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
48.6±7.8Lowest 12% above NH |
50.6±8.5 17% above NH |
| Franconia and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.2%±5.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
19.5%±3.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
17.7%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
| Lyme and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 36.6%±6.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
26.5%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
28.2%±5.5 NH: 20.1% |
| Franconia and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 57.9% NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
70.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
45.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±5.4Highest NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1 NH: 6% |
3.3%±1.9 NH: 6% |
0.9%±0.9Lowest NH: 6% |
| Franconia and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $87,292±$28k 12% below NH |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
$133,906±$15k 35% above NH |
$85,029±$18kLowest 14% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $530,300±$96k 32% above NH |
$772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
$645,000±$64k 60% above NH |
$288,300±$22kLowest 28% below NH |
| Hampton Falls and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,281±$278 14% below NH |
$1,852±$475Highest 24% above NH |
$1,418±$130 5% below NH |
$1,174±$81Lowest 21% below NH |
| Hampton Falls and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,451 12% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$5,418Lowest 19% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 73.2%±74.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
52.8%±29.8 NH: 48.2% |
41.3%±18.3 NH: 48.2% |
| Franconia and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4.4% NH: 7.2% |
10.1% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% NH: 72.8% |
86.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
80.5% NH: 72.8% |
75.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1973Lowest 6 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 25% below NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
21 min 22% below NH |
20 min 24% below NH |
| Work from home | 11.9%±5.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
27.2%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
31.2%±12.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Bethlehem and Lyme 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 | — | — | — | #34 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Lafayette Regional School District | Hampton Falls School District | Lyme School District | Bethlehem School District · Profile School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Profile Senior High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 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.