Compare towns

Hampton Beach vs Plainfield vs Worcester

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Plainfield has the most kids (16.3% under 18).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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 BeachPlainfieldWorcester
People
Population
2,605Highest
1,314
831Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+14.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
60.4±2.4Highest
55% above U.S.
48.1±5.5
24% above U.S.
47±2.7Lowest
21% above U.S.
Kids under 18
3.1%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
16.3%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
12.8%±3.9
U.S.: 22%
Plainfield and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.7%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.1%±3.5
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
53%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.6%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.1%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
6.9%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Worcester and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$82,557±$17kHighest
about the U.S. average
$69,250±$31kLowest
14% below U.S.
$73,833±$18k
9% below U.S.
Hampton Beach and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$508,900±$76kHighest
53% above U.S.
$318,400±$34k
4% below U.S.
$271,100±$27kLowest
19% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,375±$130Highest
about the U.S. average
$1,153±$103
18% below U.S.
$1,023±$136Lowest
28% below U.S.
Hampton Beach and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,115Highest
96% above U.S.
$4,806
54% above U.S.
$4,421Lowest
42% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
61.7%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
73.2%±53.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.5%±37Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Plainfield 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%
U.S.: 12.5%
11.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
85.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
9 yrs older than U.S.
1955Lowest
25 yrs older than U.S.
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
4% below U.S.
24 minLowest
9% below U.S.
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
Work from home
26.9%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±4.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.6%±4.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampton Beach and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town — — None in town
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.