Compare towns
Hampstead vs Hooksett vs Jaffrey vs Pelham
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).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Jaffrey has the most affordable homes ($246k median).
Pelham has the highest household income ($136k).
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 | Hooksett | Jaffrey | Pelham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102 |
15,057Highest |
5,448Lowest |
14,449 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% NH: +4.6% |
+10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-2.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+10.3% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1Highest 5% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
42.9±3.9 about the NH average |
41.5±2.7 4% below NH |
| Hampstead and Jaffrey 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% |
17.4%±2.9Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.1%±5.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
22%±2.7 NH: 18.2% |
| Jaffrey and Pelham 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% |
17.3%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
18.5%±3.8 NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±1.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Hampstead and Jaffrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
39.6% NH: 40.6% |
31.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
40% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
3.1%±2.4Lowest NH: 6% |
5.9%±1.3 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
$117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$92,330±$18kLowest 7% below NH |
$135,956±$19kHighest 37% above NH |
| Pelham and Hooksett 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 |
$407,000±$26k about the NH average |
$245,500±$27kLowest 39% below NH |
$552,600±$27kHighest 37% above NH |
| Pelham and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,299±$149 13% below NH |
$1,661±$206Highest 11% above NH |
$962±$202Lowest 35% below NH |
$1,425±$88 4% below NH |
| Hooksett and Pelham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634Highest 30% above NH |
$6,554 about the NH average |
$6,196Lowest 7% below NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
45.7%±23 NH: 48.2% |
67.3%±12.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Pelham and Jaffrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.8%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.8%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.7% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1% NH: 72.8% |
80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
81.8% NH: 72.8% |
86.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1973Lowest 6 yrs older than NH |
1987 8 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 13% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
25 minLowest 8% below NH |
30 min 10% above NH |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1 NH: 16.8% |
7.5%±4.2Lowest NH: 16.8% |
22.8%±3.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Pelham 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 | #30 of 120 in NH | #87 of 120 in NH | #48 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Hooksett School District | Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District | Pelham School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Conant Middle High School (H) | Pelham High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 21.3Highest |
10.4Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.