Compare towns
Hampton vs Kensington vs North Hampton vs Hampton Beach
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Kensington has the youngest population (median age 43.3).
North Hampton has the most kids (19.2% under 18).
Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
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 | Kensington | North Hampton | Hampton Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 16,426Highest |
2,009Lowest |
4,543 |
2,605 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% NH: +4.6% |
-1.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.5% NH: +4.6% |
+14.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1 29% above NH |
43.3±5.9Lowest about the NH average |
50.5±3.3 17% above NH |
60.4±2.4Highest 39% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 11.6%±2.3 NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
19.2%±5.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
3.1%±2.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| North Hampton and Kensington 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% |
18.8%±2.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
26%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
33.7%±4.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Hampton Beach 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% |
48.5% NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
34%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1 NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Highest NH: 6% |
2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
0.6%±0.7Lowest NH: 6% |
| Kensington 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 4% below NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$146,458±$29k 48% above NH |
$82,557±$17kLowest 17% below NH |
| Kensington and North Hampton 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 |
$657,700±$47k 63% above NH |
$670,400±$61kHighest 67% above NH |
$508,900±$76kLowest 26% above NH |
| North Hampton and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94 9% above NH |
$1,813±$627Highest 22% above NH |
$1,805±$106 21% above NH |
$1,375±$130Lowest 8% below NH |
| Kensington and North Hampton 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 |
$9,637Highest 45% above NH |
$8,529 28% above NH |
$6,115Lowest 8% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4 NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5 NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
61.7%±20.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton Beach 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% |
1.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
2.9% NH: 7.2% |
8.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8% NH: 72.8% |
92.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
91.3% NH: 72.8% |
62.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1971Lowest 8 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 3% below NH |
29 minHighest 7% above NH |
25 minLowest 8% below NH |
25 min 5% below NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
26.9%±6.1Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Hampton Beach 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 | #31 of 120 in NH | — | #12 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Kensington School District | North Hampton 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 | 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.