Compare towns

Hampstead vs Jay vs Hooksett

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).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).

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.

MeasureHampsteadJayHooksett
People
Population
9,102
471Lowest
15,057Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±6.1
16% above U.S.
52.1±10.5Highest
34% above U.S.
41.3±1.5Lowest
6% above U.S.
Jay and Hampstead 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%
17.4%±2.9
U.S.: 22%
Hampstead and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.8%±4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.3%±2.4
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampstead and Hooksett 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%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
39.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
8.9%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,348±$18k
39% above U.S.
$74,792±$25kLowest
7% below U.S.
$117,962±$11kHighest
46% above U.S.
Hooksett 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.
$407,000±$26k
22% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,299±$149Lowest
8% below U.S.
—
$1,661±$206Highest
18% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,634Highest
177% above U.S.
$3,588Lowest
15% above U.S.
$6,554
110% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±20.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
41.7%±16.4
U.S.: 51.1%
Hampstead and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
97%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Lowest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
2001Highest
21 yrs newer than U.S.
1988Lowest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
14% above U.S.
40 minHighest
50% above U.S.
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
Work from home
21%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
27.3%±13.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.4%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Jay 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
School district Hampstead School District Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District Hooksett School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.