Compare towns
Hampton Falls vs Exeter vs Nelson vs North Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampton Falls has the most expensive homes ($773k median).
Exeter has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.2%).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
North Hampton has the oldest population (median age 50.5).
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 Falls | Exeter | Nelson | North Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,328 |
16,151Highest |
648Lowest |
4,543 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.5% NH: +4.6% |
+12.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.5% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
45.8±2.3 6% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
50.5±3.3Highest 17% above NH |
| North Hampton and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
17%±2.7Lowest NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.2%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 25%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
24.4%±2.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
26%±4.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
| North Hampton and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
59.2% NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±2.1 NH: 6% |
6.1%±1.8Highest NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
| Exeter and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
$110,346±$13k 11% above NH |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
$146,458±$29k 48% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
$456,600±$21k 13% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$670,400±$61k 67% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,852±$475 24% above NH |
$1,856±$223Highest 24% above NH |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,805±$106 21% above NH |
| Exeter and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$8,814 32% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
$8,529 28% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 27.2%±22.7 NH: 48.2% |
59%±11.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Exeter and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4% NH: 7.2% |
4.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
2.9% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.3% NH: 72.8% |
69.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.2% NH: 72.8% |
91.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1979 same as NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 21% above NH |
25 min 7% below NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
25 min 8% below NH |
| Work from home | 21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
19.9%±3.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and North 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 | — | #22 of 120 in NH | — | #12 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton Falls School District | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Exeter School District | Nelson School District | North Hampton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Exeter High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.1 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 59 photos → | 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.