Compare towns
Hampton Beach vs Nelson 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%).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% 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.
| Measure | Hampton Beach | Nelson | Alstead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,605Highest |
648Lowest |
1,551 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +14.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-3.8% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 60.4±2.4Highest 39% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest 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% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
12.3%±3.1 NH: 18.2% |
| Age 65+ | 33.7%±4.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2Lowest 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% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.3%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.6%±0.7Lowest NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1 NH: 6% |
3.4%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
| Alstead and Nelson 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 |
$99,792±$23kHighest about the NH average |
$64,526±$11kLowest 35% below NH |
| Nelson 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 |
$340,900±$49k 15% below NH |
$271,600±$37kLowest 33% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,375±$130Highest 8% below NH |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
— |
| Hampton Beach and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,115Highest 8% below NH |
$5,575 16% below NH |
$5,322Lowest 20% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 61.7%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8Lowest 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% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
76% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971Lowest 8 yrs older than NH |
1975Highest 4 yrs older than NH |
1973 6 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 5% below NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
32 minHighest 19% above NH |
| Work from home | 26.9%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
12.1%±5.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Nelson School District | Fall Mountain Regional School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| 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.