Compare towns

Hampstead vs Mapleton vs Plaistow

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Plaistow has the youngest population (median age 40.1).

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.

MeasureHampsteadMapletonPlaistow
People
Population
9,102Highest
1,884Lowest
7,861
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±6.1Highest
16% above U.S.
41.8±6
7% above U.S.
40.1±3.7Lowest
3% 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%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±4.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton and Hampstead 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%
18.3%±3.1
U.S.: 17.2%
17.4%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampstead and Mapleton 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%
34.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
3.3%±1.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Hampstead and Mapleton 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
39% above U.S.
$91,731±$25kLowest
14% above U.S.
$108,317±$13k
34% above U.S.
Hampstead and Plaistow 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.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
$404,500±$32k
22% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,299±$149
8% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
$1,664±$187Highest
18% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,634Highest
177% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$7,194
131% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
55.3%±16.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Plaistow and Hampstead 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%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
78.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
28 minLowest
5% above U.S.
29 min
8% above U.S.
Work from home
21%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.6%±4
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampstead and Plaistow 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 — #66 of 120 in NH
School district Hampstead School District RSU 79/MSAD 01 Timberlane Regional School District
High school in town None in town None in town Timberlane Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.4
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.