Compare towns

Hampton vs Halifax vs Meredith

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 most expensive homes ($550k median).
Halifax has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
Meredith has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.7%).

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.

MeasureHamptonHalifaxMeredith
People
Population
16,426Highest
7,748
6,758Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
55.8±2.1Highest
43% above U.S.
41.9±4.7Lowest
8% above U.S.
55.5±3.7
43% above U.S.
Hampton and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
12.6%±3.3
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
30.9%±2.8
U.S.: 17.2%
18.8%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
34.2%±5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Meredith 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%
U.S.: 35.7%
36.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.9%±1.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Halifax and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$95,233±$9k
18% above U.S.
$118,556±$11kHighest
47% above U.S.
$87,019±$19kLowest
8% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$550,200±$39kHighest
65% above U.S.
$481,500±$51k
45% above U.S.
$480,100±$48kLowest
44% above U.S.
Hampton and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,628±$94
15% above U.S.
$1,804±$375Highest
28% above U.S.
$1,149±$304Lowest
19% below U.S.
Halifax and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,813
118% above U.S.
$6,840Highest
119% above U.S.
$5,006Lowest
61% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.8%±10.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
45.6%±37.4Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.5%±9.2
U.S.: 51.1%
Hampton and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
2.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
75.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
1979Highest
1 yr older than U.S.
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
35 minHighest
34% above U.S.
26 min
about the U.S. average
Work from home
21.7%±3.3
U.S.: 15.1%
13.9%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.7%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Meredith 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 #120 of 282 in MA #62 of 120 in NH
School district Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District Halifax Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District
High school in town Winnacunnet High School None in town Inter-Lakes High School
Students per teacherat that high school
10.1Lowest
—
11.1Highest
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.