Compare towns

Hampton Beach vs Lee vs Alstead

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Lee has the most kids (21.9% under 18).
Alstead has the most affordable homes ($272k 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.

MeasureHampton BeachLeeAlstead
People
Population
2,605
4,576Highest
1,551Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+14.2%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+4.4%
NH: +4.6%
-3.8%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
Median age
60.4±2.4Highest
39% above NH
42.9±1.9Lowest
about the NH average
56±3.3
29% above NH
Hampton Beach and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
3.1%±2.8Lowest
NH: 18.2%
21.9%±5.6Highest
NH: 18.2%
12.3%±3.1
NH: 18.2%
Age 65+
33.7%±4.1Highest
NH: 20.1%
22.6%±6.8Lowest
NH: 20.1%
27.8%±4.2
NH: 20.1%
Hampton Beach and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34%
NH: 40.6%
50.6%Highest
NH: 40.6%
28.3%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.6%±0.7Lowest
NH: 6%
5.4%±2.6Highest
NH: 6%
3.4%±2.6
NH: 6%
Lee and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$82,557±$17k
17% below NH
$131,579±$54kHighest
33% above NH
$64,526±$11kLowest
35% below NH
Lee and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$508,900±$76kHighest
26% above NH
$480,600±$61k
19% above NH
$271,600±$37kLowest
33% below NH
Hampton Beach and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,375±$130
8% below NH
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,115
8% below NH
$9,661Highest
45% above NH
$5,322Lowest
20% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
61.7%±20.2
NH: 48.2%
38.3%±53.3Lowest
NH: 48.2%
72.1%±22.3Highest
NH: 48.2%
Alstead and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%
NH: 7.2%
2.6%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
8.9%Highest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
95.8%Highest
NH: 72.8%
76%
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
8 yrs older than NH
1987Highest
8 yrs newer than NH
1973
6 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
5% below NH
28 min
about the NH average
32 minHighest
19% above NH
Work from home
26.9%±6.1
NH: 16.8%
27.6%±8.8Highest
NH: 16.8%
12.1%±5.6Lowest
NH: 16.8%
Lee and Hampton Beach 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 — #3 of 120 in NH —
School district — Oyster River Coop School District Fall Mountain Regional School District
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 10 photos → 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.