Compare towns
Hampton vs Durham vs Seabrook vs Hampstead
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 most expensive homes ($550k median).
Durham has the youngest population (median age 20.8).
Seabrook has the most affordable homes ($444k median).
Hampstead has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
Durham is a college town. 55.1% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Durham | Seabrook | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 16,426Highest |
15,080 |
8,427Lowest |
9,102 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% NH: +4.6% |
+5.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-3.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
20.8±0.3Lowest 52% below NH |
54±1.9 25% above NH |
45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
| Hampton and Seabrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 11.6%±2.3 NH: 18.2% |
10.3%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
14.8%±3.1 NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Seabrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.9%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
11.5%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
31.5%±5Highest NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Seabrook 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% NH: 40.6% |
75.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
27.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
44.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1 NH: 6% |
55.1%±3.2Highest NH: 6% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $95,233±$9k 4% below NH |
$124,056±$21kHighest 25% above NH |
$84,349±$15kLowest 15% below NH |
$112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
| Durham and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $550,200±$39kHighest 37% above NH |
$504,300±$41k 25% above NH |
$443,500±$40kLowest 10% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
| Hampton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94Highest 9% above NH |
$1,429±$143 4% below NH |
$1,542±$174 3% above NH |
$1,299±$149Lowest 13% below NH |
| Hampton and Seabrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,813 about the NH average |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$5,785Lowest 13% below NH |
$8,634 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4 NH: 48.2% |
66.4%±16Highest NH: 48.2% |
50.4%±10 NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Durham and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6% NH: 7.2% |
15.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
12.1% NH: 7.2% |
3.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8% NH: 72.8% |
64.4%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
68.2% NH: 72.8% |
82.1%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 3% below NH |
19 minLowest 27% below NH |
21 min 22% below NH |
30 minHighest 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
19.4%±3.5 NH: 16.8% |
10.5%±3.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Hampton and Hampstead 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 | #9 of 120 in NH | #114 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Oyster River Coop School District | Seabrook School District | Hampstead School District |
| High school in town | Winnacunnet High School | Oyster River High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.1Lowest |
12.3Highest |
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| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 51 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.