Compare towns
Hampton vs Jackson vs Rye
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 affordable homes ($550k median).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Rye has the most kids (18.2% under 18).
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 | Jackson | Rye |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 16,426Highest |
897Lowest |
5,611 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% NH: +4.6% |
+26%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1 29% above NH |
60.5±2.5Highest 40% above NH |
55.1±3Lowest 27% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 11.6%±2.3 NH: 18.2% |
4.1%±4.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Age 65+ | 30.9%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
28.4%±6.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Rye 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% |
67.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
61.5% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1Highest NH: 6% |
3%±3.4 NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hampton and Jackson 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 |
$117,986±$46k 19% above NH |
$140,655±$39kHighest 42% above NH |
| Rye and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $550,200±$39kLowest 37% above NH |
$719,300±$109k 79% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94Lowest 9% above NH |
$1,750±$1k 17% above NH |
$1,781±$156Highest 19% above NH |
| Rye and Jackson 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 |
$6,001Lowest 10% below NH |
$7,519Highest 13% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
21.1%±59.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
16.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
6.9% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
91.4%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1980Highest 1 yr newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 3% below NH |
19 minLowest 31% below NH |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
22.2%±10.2 NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Jackson 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 | — | #2 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Jackson School District | Rye School District |
| High school in town | Winnacunnet High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.1 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.