Compare towns

Hampton vs Dedham vs Hampstead

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 has the oldest population (median age 51.2).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
Hampstead has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).

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.

MeasureHamptonDedhamHampstead
People
Population
10,101
25,237Highest
9,102Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.2±1.7Highest
32% above U.S.
44.6±1.6Lowest
15% above U.S.
45.3±6.1
16% above U.S.
Hampton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.6%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
18.6%±1.9
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
Hampstead and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±2
U.S.: 17.2%
21.8%±4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
55%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
44.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.4%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.6%±1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Dedham and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$97,163±$4kLowest
20% above U.S.
$128,955±$10kHighest
60% above U.S.
$112,348±$18k
39% above U.S.
Dedham and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$545,300±$63k
64% above U.S.
$661,800±$16kHighest
99% above U.S.
$521,100±$45kLowest
57% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,654±$93
17% above U.S.
$2,042±$182Highest
45% above U.S.
$1,299±$149Lowest
8% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,872Lowest
120% above U.S.
$7,918
154% above U.S.
$8,634Highest
177% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48.9%±13.1
U.S.: 51.1%
56.4%±10Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.1%±20.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dedham and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
73.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
82.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1956Lowest
24 yrs older than U.S.
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
29 min
11% above U.S.
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
Work from home
20.5%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
20%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
21%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampstead and Hampton 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 #31 of 120 in NH #119 of 282 in MA #49 of 120 in NH
School district — Dedham Hampstead School District
High school in town — Dedham High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.4
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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.