Compare towns

Hampstead vs Kingston vs Derry

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Kingston has the oldest population (median age 55.5).
Derry has the most affordable homes ($432k 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.

MeasureHampsteadKingstonDerry
People
Population
9,102
6,275Lowest
34,116Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+2.9%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+3.6%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
45.3±6.1
5% above NH
55.5±5.7Highest
28% above NH
40.3±1.6Lowest
7% below NH
Kingston 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
NH: 18.2%
13.5%±3.9Lowest
NH: 18.2%
20.7%±2.1
NH: 18.2%
Hampstead and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.8%±4
NH: 20.1%
24.7%±6Highest
NH: 20.1%
15.2%±1.6Lowest
NH: 20.1%
Kingston 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%Highest
NH: 40.6%
35.1%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
37.4%
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±1.6
NH: 6%
3.6%±2.1Lowest
NH: 6%
6.1%±1.5Highest
NH: 6%
Derry and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,348±$18kHighest
13% above NH
$105,330±$12kLowest
6% above NH
$108,944±$7k
10% above NH
Hampstead and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$521,100±$45kHighest
29% above NH
$492,900±$58k
22% above NH
$432,000±$17kLowest
7% above NH
Hampstead and Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,299±$149Lowest
13% below NH
$1,393±$156
7% below NH
$1,547±$138Highest
4% above NH
Derry and Kingston 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
$7,906Lowest
19% above NH
$8,103
22% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±20.2Lowest
NH: 48.2%
46.9%±46.4
NH: 48.2%
51.6%±9Highest
NH: 48.2%
Derry and Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
NH: 7.2%
2.1%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
4%Highest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.1%Highest
NH: 72.8%
74.4%
NH: 72.8%
70.2%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
9 yrs newer than NH
1982Lowest
3 yrs newer than NH
1983
4 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minLowest
13% above NH
34 minHighest
27% above NH
31 min
16% above NH
Work from home
21%±4.7Highest
NH: 16.8%
15.7%±4.3Lowest
NH: 16.8%
16%±2.8
NH: 16.8%
Hampstead and Derry 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 #78 of 120 in NH #60 of 120 in NH
School district Hampstead School District Sanborn Regional School District Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District
High school in town None in town Sanborn Regional High School Pinkerton Academy
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.9Lowest
13.9Highest
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.