Compare towns
Hanover vs Hampton vs Hanover vs Canaan
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hanover has the highest household income ($170k).
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 55.8).
Hanover has the youngest population (median age 21.8).
Canaan has the most affordable homes ($254k median).
Hanover is a college town. 36.9% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Hanover | Hampton | Hanover | Canaan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,685 |
16,426Highest |
8,479 |
3,811Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5.1% NH: +4.6% |
+5.1% NH: +4.6% |
-2.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 28.7±5.1 34% below NH |
55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
21.8±0.3Lowest 50% below NH |
44.4±3.7 about the NH average |
| Kids under 18 | 14.4%±2.4 NH: 18.2% |
11.6%±2.3 NH: 18.2% |
9.8%±2.2Lowest NH: 18.2% |
14.7%±4.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Canaan and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
30.9%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.6%±3.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.1%±4.2 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 88.2% NH: 40.6% |
42.8% NH: 40.6% |
89.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 36.9%±2.4 NH: 6% |
3.1%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
49.8%±2.5Highest NH: 6% |
7%±2.5 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $169,583±$36kHighest 71% above NH |
$95,233±$9k 4% below NH |
$153,281±$26k 55% above NH |
$81,583±$6kLowest 18% below NH |
| Hanover and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $824,900±$61k 105% above NH |
$550,200±$39k 37% above NH |
$842,600±$97kHighest 109% above NH |
$254,000±$26kLowest 37% below NH |
| Hanover and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,253±$217 51% above NH |
$1,628±$94 9% above NH |
$2,254±$249Highest 51% above NH |
$1,140±$90Lowest 24% below NH |
| Hanover and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$6,813 about the NH average |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$5,985Lowest 10% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.4%±17.5 NH: 48.2% |
56.8%±10.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
72%±17.4 NH: 48.2% |
74.4%±25.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Canaan and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8% NH: 7.2% |
13.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.7% NH: 72.8% |
73.8% NH: 72.8% |
62.4%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
77.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1978Highest 1 yr older than NH |
1974Lowest 5 yrs older than NH |
1975 4 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 27% below NH |
26 min 3% below NH |
19 minLowest 29% below NH |
30 minHighest 12% above NH |
| Work from home | 26.4%±5 NH: 16.8% |
21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
26.7%±6Highest NH: 16.8% |
14.9%±6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Hanover and Hanover 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 | #1 of 120 in NH | #31 of 120 in NH | #1 of 120 in NH | #83 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Dresden School District · Hanover School District | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | — | Mascoma Valley Regional School District |
| High school in town | Hanover High School | Winnacunnet High School | — | Mascoma Valley Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Highest |
10.1Lowest |
— | 10.3 |
| 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.