Compare towns

Hamilton vs Ogunquit vs Essex

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hamilton has the most affordable homes ($720k median).
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Essex has the highest household income ($157k).

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.

MeasureHamiltonOgunquitEssex
People
Population
7,600Highest
1,379Lowest
3,701
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+76.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
43.5±2.1Lowest
12% above U.S.
62.8±4.8Highest
61% above U.S.
45±3.4
16% above U.S.
Kids under 18
24%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
5.7%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.9%±6.5
U.S.: 22%
Hamilton and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.9%±3.8
U.S.: 17.2%
43.6%±10.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
16.9%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
63.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
69%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.7%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.8
U.S.: 6.4%
2.1%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Hamilton and Ogunquit are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$129,833±$14k
61% above U.S.
$114,259±$56kLowest
42% above U.S.
$157,147±$24kHighest
95% above U.S.
Essex and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$720,000±$36kLowest
116% above U.S.
$875,700±$79k
163% above U.S.
$897,400±$59kHighest
170% above U.S.
Essex and Ogunquit are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,794±$394Lowest
27% above U.S.
—
$1,964±$238Highest
39% above U.S.
Essex and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$4,473Lowest
43% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
65.8%±23.6Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±61.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
51.5%±23.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Hamilton and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
94.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
75%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1958Lowest
22 yrs older than U.S.
1978Highest
2 yrs older than U.S.
1969
11 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
22% above U.S.
26 min
about the U.S. average
25 minLowest
6% below U.S.
Work from home
26.3%±5.1
U.S.: 15.1%
43.3%±12.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.6%±7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Ogunquit and Hamilton 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 #36 of 282 in MA — #93 of 282 in MA
School district Hamilton-Wenham — Manchester Essex Regional
High school in town Hamilton-Wenham Regional High — None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
11.8
— —
On TownTapestry
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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.