Compare towns
Hampton vs North Hampton vs Peterborough
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 oldest population (median age 55.8).
North Hampton has the highest household income ($146k).
Peterborough has the most affordable homes ($405k median).
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 | North Hampton | Peterborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 16,426Highest |
4,543Lowest |
6,408 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% NH: +4.6% |
+5.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+2.1%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
50.5±3.3Lowest 17% above NH |
52.1±1.9 20% above NH |
| Hampton and Peterborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.2%±5.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
16.3%±5.1 NH: 18.2% |
| North Hampton and Peterborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.9%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
26%±4.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
30.6%±5.2 NH: 20.1% |
| Hampton and Peterborough 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% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
62.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1Highest NH: 6% |
2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
2%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hampton and North 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±$9kLowest 4% below NH |
$146,458±$29kHighest 48% above NH |
$98,401±$8k about the NH average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $550,200±$39k 37% above NH |
$670,400±$61kHighest 67% above NH |
$404,500±$31kLowest about the NH average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94 9% above NH |
$1,805±$106Highest 21% above NH |
$1,395±$209Lowest 6% below NH |
| North Hampton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,813Lowest about the NH average |
$8,529 28% above NH |
$8,655Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
29.2%±7.4 NH: 48.2% |
| Below poverty line | 5.6% NH: 7.2% |
2.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8% NH: 72.8% |
91.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
56.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1970Lowest 9 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minHighest 3% below NH |
25 min 8% below NH |
23 minLowest 16% below NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
25.9%±6.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
15.8%±4.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| North Hampton 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 | #12 of 120 in NH | #59 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | North Hampton School District | Contoocook Valley School District |
| High school in town | Winnacunnet High School | None in town | Conval Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.1Lowest |
— | 12.0Highest |
| 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.