Compare towns
Hampton vs Pelham vs Salem
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).
Pelham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.3%).
Salem has the most affordable homes ($473k 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 | Pelham | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 16,426 |
14,449Lowest |
30,964Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% NH: +4.6% |
+10.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
41.5±2.7Lowest 4% below NH |
44.6±2.7 3% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
22%±2.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
16.2%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
| Age 65+ | 30.9%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±1.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
18.6%±1.7 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.8%Highest NH: 40.6% |
40% NH: 40.6% |
38.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
5.9%±1.3Highest NH: 6% |
4.3%±1 NH: 6% |
| Pelham and Salem 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 |
$135,956±$19kHighest 37% above NH |
$110,490±$9k 12% above NH |
| Pelham and Salem 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 |
$552,600±$27kHighest 37% above NH |
$473,300±$16kLowest 18% above NH |
| Pelham and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94Highest 9% above NH |
$1,425±$88Lowest 4% below NH |
$1,625±$146 9% above NH |
| Hampton and Salem 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 |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
$6,992 5% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4 NH: 48.2% |
67.3%±12.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±9.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Pelham and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.7%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
86.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
75.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 3% below NH |
30 minHighest 10% above NH |
29 min 9% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
22.8%±3.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.3%±2.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Pelham 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 | #48 of 120 in NH | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Pelham School District | Salem School District |
| High school in town | Winnacunnet High School | Pelham High School | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.1Lowest |
10.4 |
11.2Highest |
| 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.