Compare towns
Hampstead vs Brookline vs Derry
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampstead has the oldest population (median age 45.3).
Brookline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13%).
Derry has the most affordable homes ($432k 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 | Hampstead | Brookline | Derry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 9,102 |
5,736Lowest |
34,116Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% NH: +4.6% |
+13%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+3.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1Highest 5% above NH |
41.2±1.5 5% below NH |
40.3±1.6Lowest 7% below NH |
| Hampstead and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
26.7%±4Highest NH: 18.2% |
20.7%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Brookline and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.8%±4Highest NH: 20.1% |
11.4%±2.1Lowest NH: 20.1% |
15.2%±1.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9% NH: 40.6% |
57.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
37.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
6.3%±3.2Highest NH: 6% |
6.1%±1.5 NH: 6% |
| Brookline and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
$171,046±$4kHighest 73% above NH |
$108,944±$7kLowest 10% above NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
$544,400±$38kHighest 35% above NH |
$432,000±$17kLowest 7% above NH |
| Brookline and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,299±$149Lowest 13% below NH |
$2,500±$1kHighest 68% above NH |
$1,547±$138 4% above NH |
| Brookline and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634 30% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$8,103Lowest 22% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
23.8%±43.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
51.6%±9Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Derry and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.8% NH: 7.2% |
0.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1% NH: 72.8% |
95.1%Highest NH: 72.8% |
70.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
1993Highest 14 yrs newer than NH |
1983Lowest 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minLowest 13% above NH |
33 minHighest 25% above NH |
31 min 16% above NH |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
24.7%±5.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
16%±2.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Brookline and Hampstead 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 | #49 of 120 in NH | #23 of 120 in NH | #60 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Brookline School District | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Pinkerton Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 13.9 |
| 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.