Compare towns
Gorham vs Appleton vs Berlin vs Alstead
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Appleton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($131k median).
Alstead has the most expensive 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.
| Measure | Gorham | Appleton | Berlin | Alstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,682 |
1,360Lowest |
9,383Highest |
1,551 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+7.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 53.9±3.6 39% above U.S. |
49.2±7.4 26% above U.S. |
44.6±2.8Lowest 15% above U.S. |
56±3.3Highest 44% above U.S. |
| Alstead and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 12.5%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
15.3%±2.7 U.S.: 22% |
17.2%±2.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
12.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Berlin and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 31.7%±6.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.1%±9.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.1%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.8%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Gorham and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 20.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
14.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
28.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±2.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.7%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.4%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Gorham and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $61,275±$7k 24% below U.S. |
$53,618±$19k 34% below U.S. |
$45,180±$5kLowest 44% below U.S. |
$64,526±$11kHighest 20% below U.S. |
| Alstead and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $161,600±$49k 51% below U.S. |
$235,600±$33k 29% below U.S. |
$131,000±$15kLowest 61% below U.S. |
$271,600±$37kHighest 18% below U.S. |
| Alstead and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $838±$83 41% below U.S. |
$1,104±$82Highest 22% below U.S. |
$815±$141Lowest 42% below U.S. |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,334 39% above U.S. |
$3,588 15% above U.S. |
$3,437Lowest 10% above U.S. |
$5,322Highest 71% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±20.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
85.4%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
43.7%±12 U.S.: 51.1% |
72.1%±22.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Appleton and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
15.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
82.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
62.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
76% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min 14% below U.S. |
30 min 14% above U.S. |
19 minLowest 29% below U.S. |
32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 1.7%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.1%±3.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
3.5%±2.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
12.1%±5.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Alstead and Appleton 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 | #57 of 120 in NH | — | #108 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District | Appleton Public Schools | Berlin School District | Fall Mountain Regional School District |
| High school in town | Gorham High School | None in town | Berlin Senior High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.0Highest |
— | 8.2Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.