Compare towns
Hampton vs Bedford vs Stratham vs 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 has the oldest population (median age 55.8).
Bedford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10%).
Stratham has the most homeowners (92.6%).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($545k 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 | Bedford | Stratham | Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 16,426 |
23,746Highest |
7,754Lowest |
10,101 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% NH: +4.6% |
+10%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5.7% NH: +4.6% |
-0.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
45±2.2 4% above NH |
41.6±4.9Lowest 4% below NH |
51.2±1.7 18% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
22.7%±2.5 NH: 18.2% |
23.5%±5.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.6%±3.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Stratham and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.9%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
20.5%±2.1Lowest NH: 20.1% |
20.6%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
26.9%±3.1 NH: 20.1% |
| Hampton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.8%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
63% NH: 40.6% |
69.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
44.2% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
4.7%±2.1Highest NH: 6% |
3.9%±1.7 NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.7 NH: 6% |
| Bedford and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $95,233±$9kLowest 4% below NH |
$167,418±$12kHighest 69% above NH |
$151,998±$20k 53% above NH |
$97,163±$4k about the NH average |
| Bedford and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $550,200±$39k 37% above NH |
$612,100±$26k 52% above NH |
$655,400±$36kHighest 63% above NH |
$545,300±$63kLowest 35% above NH |
| Stratham and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94Lowest 9% above NH |
$2,099±$274 41% above NH |
$2,511±$377Highest 68% above NH |
$1,654±$93 11% above NH |
| Stratham and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,813Lowest about the NH average |
$9,803Highest 47% above NH |
$9,781 47% above NH |
$6,872 3% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4 NH: 48.2% |
59.4%±15.3 NH: 48.2% |
64%±38.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
48.9%±13.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Stratham and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.7% NH: 7.2% |
2.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
82.9% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
74.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
1990Highest 11 yrs newer than NH |
1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
1979 same as NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 3% below NH |
25 minLowest 5% below NH |
27 minHighest about the NH average |
26 min 3% below NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
27%±3.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
25.3%±6.6 NH: 16.8% |
20.5%±3.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Bedford and Stratham 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 | #7 of 120 in NH | #43 of 120 in NH | #31 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Bedford School District | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham School District | — |
| High school in town | Winnacunnet High School | Bedford High School | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.1Lowest |
13.5Highest |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.