Compare towns

Hampton vs Middleton vs Dedham

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 oldest population (median age 55.8).
Middleton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.8%).
Dedham has the most kids (18.6% 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.

MeasureHamptonMiddletonDedham
People
Population
16,426
9,816Lowest
25,237Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
+8.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
55.8±2.1Highest
43% above U.S.
43.1±2Lowest
11% above U.S.
44.6±1.6
15% above U.S.
Kids under 18
11.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.2%±3
U.S.: 22%
18.6%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
Dedham and Middleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.9%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.1%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±2
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
42.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
41.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
55%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±1.4
U.S.: 6.4%
5.6%±1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Dedham and Middleton 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
18% above U.S.
$167,402±$29kHighest
107% above U.S.
$128,955±$10k
60% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$550,200±$39kLowest
65% above U.S.
$742,700±$48kHighest
123% above U.S.
$661,800±$16k
99% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,628±$94
15% above U.S.
$1,407±$284Lowest
about the U.S. average
$2,042±$182Highest
45% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,813Lowest
118% above U.S.
$8,785Highest
182% above U.S.
$7,918
154% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.8%±10.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.7%±25.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
56.4%±10
U.S.: 51.1%
Hampton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
92.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
73.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1956Lowest
24 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
29 min
11% above U.S.
Work from home
21.7%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.5%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
20%±2.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampton and Dedham 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 #71 of 282 in MA #119 of 282 in MA
School district Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District Middleton Dedham
High school in town Winnacunnet High School None in town Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school
10.1Lowest
—
10.4Highest
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.