Compare towns

Hampton vs Petersham vs Ware

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.1%).
Petersham has the most homeowners (94.2%).
Ware has the most kids (19.1% 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.

MeasureHamptonPetershamWare
People
Population
16,426Highest
1,185Lowest
10,048
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
55.8±2.1
43% above U.S.
56.3±2.7Highest
45% above U.S.
43.1±4.7Lowest
11% above U.S.
Petersham and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
12.7%±2.5
U.S.: 22%
19.1%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
30.9%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
30.5%±4.7
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampton and Petersham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
42.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
42.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
24%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4%±1.7
U.S.: 6.4%
4.4%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Ware and Petersham 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
18% above U.S.
$110,750±$20kHighest
37% above U.S.
$67,475±$15kLowest
16% below U.S.
Petersham and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$550,200±$39kHighest
65% above U.S.
$392,400±$20k
18% above U.S.
$289,700±$28kLowest
13% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,628±$94
15% above U.S.
$1,679±$441Highest
19% above U.S.
$1,043±$109Lowest
26% below U.S.
Petersham and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,813Highest
118% above U.S.
$4,636
49% above U.S.
$4,237Lowest
36% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.8%±10.4
U.S.: 51.1%
20%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
64.3%±16.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Ware and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
11.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
94.2%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
72.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978Highest
2 yrs older than U.S.
1962
18 yrs older than U.S.
1960Lowest
20 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
39 minHighest
46% above U.S.
28 min
8% above U.S.
Work from home
21.7%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.2%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
12.3%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampton and Petersham 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 — #267 of 282 in MA
School district Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District Petersham Ware
High school in town Winnacunnet High School None in town Ware Junior/Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school
10.1Lowest
—
11.1Highest
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.