Compare towns

Hampton vs Middlesex vs Bakersfield

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 most affordable homes ($167k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Bakersfield has the oldest population (median age 46.4).

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.

MeasureHamptonMiddlesexBakersfield
People
Population
1,145
1,943Highest
1,109Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
43.1±14.7Lowest
11% above U.S.
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
46.4±8Highest
19% above U.S.
Bakersfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.9%±6.9
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
13.6%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.6%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.2%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bakersfield and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
15.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
39.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Bakersfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,796±$8kLowest
9% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$83,462±$18k
3% above U.S.
Middlesex and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$166,800±$10kLowest
50% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
$271,300±$19k
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,264±$375
11% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
$1,200±$327Lowest
15% below U.S.
Middlesex and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,007Lowest
4% below U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$3,823
23% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
13.2%±25.1
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
18.8%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Bakersfield and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
94%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987Highest
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1986
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1982Lowest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
27 min
4% above U.S.
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
Work from home
7.8%±8.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.2%±7
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town — None in town None in town
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.