Compare towns
Hampton vs Plainfield vs North Hampton vs Hampstead
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).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($442k median).
North Hampton has the most expensive homes ($670k median).
Hampstead has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
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 | Plainfield | North Hampton | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 16,426Highest |
2,522Lowest |
4,543 |
9,102 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% NH: +4.6% |
+4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.5% NH: +4.6% |
+5.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
50.5±3.3 17% above NH |
45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
| Hampton and North 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 NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.2%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Hampstead 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% |
19.8%±4.5Lowest NH: 20.1% |
26%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Hampton and North 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%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
46.7% NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
44.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1 NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3 NH: 6% |
2.5%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
| Hampstead and Plainfield 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 |
$122,656±$13k 24% above NH |
$146,458±$29kHighest 48% above NH |
$112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
| North Hampton and Plainfield 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 |
$442,400±$47kLowest 10% above NH |
$670,400±$61kHighest 67% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94 9% above NH |
$1,674±$181 12% above NH |
$1,805±$106Highest 21% above NH |
$1,299±$149Lowest 13% below NH |
| North Hampton and Plainfield 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 |
$7,904 19% above NH |
$8,529 28% above NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton and Hampstead 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% |
5.2% NH: 7.2% |
2.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
87.3% NH: 72.8% |
91.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 3% below NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
25 min 8% below NH |
30 minHighest 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
25.9%±6.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7 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 | #19 of 120 in NH | #12 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Plainfield School District | North Hampton School District | Hampstead School District |
| High school in town | Winnacunnet High School | None in town | 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.