Compare towns
Hampstead vs Keene vs Mapleton vs Pelham
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 oldest population (median age 45.3).
Keene has the shortest commute (17 min average).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Pelham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.3%).
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 | Keene | Mapleton | Pelham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102 |
22,939Highest |
1,884Lowest |
14,449 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1Highest 16% above U.S. |
37.6±2.3Lowest 3% below U.S. |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
41.5±2.7 7% above U.S. |
| Hampstead and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
22%±2.7 U.S.: 22% |
| Mapleton and Pelham 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% |
19.5%±1.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.5%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hampstead and Keene 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
44.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
40% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
13.8%±1.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.9%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $112,348±$18k 39% above U.S. |
$78,445±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
$91,731±$25k 14% above U.S. |
$135,956±$19kHighest 68% above U.S. |
| Pelham 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 57% above U.S. |
$252,500±$12k 24% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$552,600±$27kHighest 66% above U.S. |
| 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 8% below U.S. |
$1,342±$68 5% below U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,425±$88Highest about the U.S. average |
| Pelham and Keene 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. |
$6,812 118% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$8,634Highest 177% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.5%±6.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
67.3%±12.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Below poverty line | 3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
55.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1961Lowest 19 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1987 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 14% above U.S. |
17 minLowest 35% below U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
30 min 12% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.6%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.8%±3.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| 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 | #81 of 120 in NH | — | #48 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Keene School District | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Pelham School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Keene High School | None in town | Pelham High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.3Highest |
— | 10.4Lowest |
| 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.