Compare towns

Hampton vs Rye vs Wells vs Hampton

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 the oldest population (median age 55.8).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Wells has grown the fastest since 2010 (+18%).
Hampton has the youngest population (median age 51.2).

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.

MeasureHamptonRyeWellsHampton
People
Population
16,426Highest
5,611Lowest
11,713
10,101
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+18%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
55.8±2.1Highest
43% above U.S.
55.1±3
42% above U.S.
53.6±3.8
38% above U.S.
51.2±1.7Lowest
32% above U.S.
Hampton and Rye 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%
18.2%±4Highest
U.S.: 22%
18%±3.4
U.S.: 22%
14.6%±3.3
U.S.: 22%
Rye and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.9%±2.8
U.S.: 17.2%
31.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
31%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
26.9%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Rye and Wells 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
U.S.: 35.7%
61.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
43.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
44.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.5%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.4%±1.7
U.S.: 6.4%
Wells 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
18% above U.S.
$140,655±$39kHighest
74% above U.S.
$88,024±$11kLowest
9% above U.S.
$97,163±$4k
20% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$550,200±$39k
65% above U.S.
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
$485,300±$23kLowest
46% above U.S.
$545,300±$63k
64% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,628±$94
15% above U.S.
$1,781±$156Highest
26% above U.S.
$1,350±$297Lowest
4% below U.S.
$1,654±$93
17% above U.S.
Rye and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,813
118% above U.S.
$7,519Highest
141% above U.S.
$3,215Lowest
3% above U.S.
$6,872
120% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.8%±10.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.3%±16.1
U.S.: 51.1%
42.1%±19.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.9%±13.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Hampton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
6.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
74.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
28 min
4% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
Work from home
21.7%±3.3
U.S.: 15.1%
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.8%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
20.5%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Rye 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 #2 of 120 in NH #22 of 133 in ME #31 of 120 in NH
School district Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District Rye School District Wells-Ogunquit CSD —
High school in town Winnacunnet High School None in town Wells High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
10.1Lowest
—
11.4Highest
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.