Compare towns

Hampton vs Newington vs Nelson 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

Newington has the most expensive homes ($862k median).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% 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.

MeasureHamptonNewingtonNelsonHampton Beach
People
Population
16,426Highest
939
648Lowest
2,605
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.1%
NH: +4.6%
+7.7%
NH: +4.6%
-13.7%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+14.2%Highest
NH: +4.6%
Median age
55.8±2.1
29% above NH
48.7±10.1
12% above NH
42.3±11.7Lowest
about the NH average
60.4±2.4Highest
39% above NH
Kids under 18
11.6%±2.3
NH: 18.2%
15.7%±4.9
NH: 18.2%
27.5%±6.6Highest
NH: 18.2%
3.1%±2.8Lowest
NH: 18.2%
Age 65+
30.9%±2.8
NH: 20.1%
28%±11
NH: 20.1%
24.8%±2Lowest
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%
62.4%Highest
NH: 40.6%
61.1%
NH: 40.6%
34%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±1.1
NH: 6%
3.9%±1.8Highest
NH: 6%
0.9%±2.1
NH: 6%
0.6%±0.7Lowest
NH: 6%
Newington 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
$145,833±$46kHighest
47% above NH
$99,792±$23k
about the NH average
$82,557±$17kLowest
17% below NH
Newington and Nelson 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
$861,600±$46kHighest
114% above NH
$340,900±$49kLowest
15% below NH
$508,900±$76k
26% above NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,628±$94
9% above NH
$2,292±$795Highest
54% above NH
$1,203±$243Lowest
19% below NH
$1,375±$130
8% below NH
Newington and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,813Highest
about the NH average
$6,081
9% below NH
$5,575Lowest
16% below NH
$6,115
8% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.8%±10.4
NH: 48.2%
62.9%±44Highest
NH: 48.2%
40%±68.8Lowest
NH: 48.2%
61.7%±20.2
NH: 48.2%
Newington and Hampton Beach 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%
4%
NH: 7.2%
1.4%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
8.2%Highest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.8%
NH: 72.8%
86.9%
NH: 72.8%
90.2%Highest
NH: 72.8%
62.9%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
1 yr older than NH
1984Highest
5 yrs newer than NH
1975
4 yrs older than NH
1971Lowest
8 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minHighest
3% below NH
23 minLowest
13% below NH
24 min
9% below NH
25 min
5% below NH
Work from home
21.7%±3.3
NH: 16.8%
8%±2.4Lowest
NH: 16.8%
31.5%±8Highest
NH: 16.8%
26.9%±6.1
NH: 16.8%
Nelson and Hampton Beach 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 — — —
School district Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District Newington School District Nelson 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.