Compare towns

Hampstead vs Ogunquit vs Wells

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 kids (21.3% under 18).
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Wells has the most affordable homes ($485k 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.

MeasureHampsteadOgunquitWells
People
Population
9,102
1,379Lowest
11,713Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+76.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+18%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±6.1Lowest
16% above U.S.
62.8±4.8Highest
61% above U.S.
53.6±3.8
38% above U.S.
Kids under 18
21.3%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
5.7%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
18%±3.4
U.S.: 22%
Hampstead and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.8%±4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
43.6%±10.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
31%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
Ogunquit and Wells 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%
63.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
43.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.5%±1.5
U.S.: 6.4%
Hampstead and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,348±$18k
39% above U.S.
$114,259±$56kHighest
42% above U.S.
$88,024±$11kLowest
9% above U.S.
Ogunquit 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.
$875,700±$79kHighest
163% above U.S.
$485,300±$23kLowest
46% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,299±$149Lowest
8% below U.S.
—
$1,350±$297Highest
4% below U.S.
Wells 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.
$4,473
43% above U.S.
$3,215Lowest
3% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±20.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±61.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.1%±19.6
U.S.: 51.1%
Hampstead and Wells 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%
3.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1978Lowest
2 yrs older than U.S.
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
28 min
4% above U.S.
Work from home
21%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
43.3%±12.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.8%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #49 of 120 in NH — #22 of 133 in ME
School district Hampstead School District — Wells-Ogunquit CSD
High school in town None in town — Wells High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.4
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.