Compare towns
Hampstead vs Hampton Beach vs Rye
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 youngest population (median age 45.3).
Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k 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 | Hampton Beach | Rye |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 9,102Highest |
2,605Lowest |
5,611 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% NH: +4.6% |
+14.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1Lowest 5% above NH |
60.4±2.4Highest 39% above NH |
55.1±3 27% above NH |
| Hampton Beach and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
3.1%±2.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4 NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.8%±4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
33.7%±4.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3 NH: 20.1% |
| Hampton Beach and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9% NH: 40.6% |
34%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
0.6%±0.7Lowest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3 NH: 6% |
| Hampstead and Rye 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 |
$82,557±$17kLowest 17% below NH |
$140,655±$39kHighest 42% above NH |
| Rye and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
$508,900±$76kLowest 26% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,299±$149Lowest 13% below NH |
$1,375±$130 8% below NH |
$1,781±$156Highest 19% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634Highest 30% above NH |
$6,115Lowest 8% below NH |
$7,519 13% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
61.7%±20.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton Beach and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
6.9% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1% NH: 72.8% |
62.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
85.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1971Lowest 8 yrs older than NH |
1972 7 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 13% above NH |
25 minLowest 5% below NH |
29 min 8% above NH |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
26.9%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Hampton Beach 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 | — | #2 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | — | Rye School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| 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.