Compare towns

Franconia vs Hampton Falls vs Orford

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 shortest commute (20 min average).
Hampton Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
Orford has the most affordable homes ($272k 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.

MeasureFranconiaHampton FallsOrford
People
Population
1,060Lowest
2,328Highest
1,295
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.9%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+7.5%Highest
NH: +4.6%
0%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
55.6±7Highest
28% above NH
49.5±7.3
14% above NH
48.9±3.3Lowest
13% above NH
Franconia and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.2%±5.5
NH: 18.2%
19.1%±5.6Highest
NH: 18.2%
12.3%±3.1Lowest
NH: 18.2%
Hampton Falls and Franconia 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%
25.5%±4.2
NH: 20.1%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
57.9%Highest
NH: 40.6%
54.5%
NH: 40.6%
44%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5%±5.4Highest
NH: 6%
3.8%±2.1Lowest
NH: 6%
5%±2.1Highest
NH: 6%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$87,292±$28kLowest
12% below NH
$166,157±$14kHighest
68% above NH
$92,571±$24k
7% below NH
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$530,300±$96k
32% above NH
$772,600±$76kHighest
92% above NH
$271,900±$25kLowest
32% below NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,281±$278
14% below NH
$1,852±$475Highest
24% above NH
$1,263±$686Lowest
15% below NH
Hampton Falls and Franconia 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
$5,836Lowest
12% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.2%±74.4Highest
NH: 48.2%
27.2%±22.7Lowest
NH: 48.2%
37.8%±10.7
NH: 48.2%
Franconia and Orford 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%
5.8%
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.1%
NH: 72.8%
86.3%Highest
NH: 72.8%
75.5%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
2 yrs newer than NH
1981Highest
2 yrs newer than NH
1971Lowest
8 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
25% below NH
32 minHighest
21% above NH
26 min
4% below NH
Work from home
11.9%±5.1
NH: 16.8%
21.8%±4.8Highest
NH: 16.8%
10.8%±4.7Lowest
NH: 16.8%
Hampton Falls and Franconia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Lafayette Regional School District Hampton Falls School District Rivendell Interstate School District
High school in town None in town None in town Rivendell Academy
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.5
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.