Compare towns
Hampstead vs Jay vs Epping vs Gilford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampstead has the most expensive homes ($521k median).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($234k median).
Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Gilford has the shortest commute (22 min average).
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 | Jay | Epping | Gilford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102Highest |
471Lowest |
7,430 |
7,830 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1 16% above U.S. |
52.1±10.5Highest 34% above U.S. |
45.1±3.5Lowest 16% above U.S. |
48.2±3.9 24% above U.S. |
| Jay and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.7%±4.8 U.S.: 22% |
20.6%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Hampstead and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.8%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.8%±3.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Epping and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
45.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
37%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
45.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±3.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.3%±1.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $112,348±$18k 39% above U.S. |
$74,792±$25kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$104,220±$7k 29% above U.S. |
$116,635±$11kHighest 44% above U.S. |
| Gilford 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±$45kHighest 57% above U.S. |
$234,200±$45kLowest 30% below U.S. |
$436,900±$35k 31% above U.S. |
$456,500±$56k 37% above U.S. |
| Hampstead and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,299±$149 8% below U.S. |
— | $1,742±$576Highest 23% above U.S. |
$1,150±$747Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Epping and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634Highest 177% above U.S. |
$3,588Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$6,936 122% above U.S. |
$4,868 56% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
67.8%±25.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
62.2%±8.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Epping and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
93.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1989 9 yrs newer than U.S. |
1983Lowest 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
40 minHighest 50% above U.S. |
32 min 22% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 17% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
27.3%±13.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
24%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.9%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jay and Epping 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 | — | #77 of 120 in NH | #45 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Epping School District | Gilford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Epping High School | Gilford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.3Lowest |
11.5Highest |
| 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.