Compare towns

Hooksett vs Boxford vs Plaistow

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Boxford has the most expensive homes ($907k median).
Plaistow has the most renters (21.9% rent).

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.

MeasureHooksettBoxfordPlaistow
People
Population
15,057Highest
8,208
7,861Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.3±1.5
6% above U.S.
49.1±3.6Highest
26% above U.S.
40.1±3.7Lowest
3% above U.S.
Kids under 18
17.4%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±5Highest
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±4.3
U.S.: 22%
Boxford and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.3%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.2%±4.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.4%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Boxford and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
70.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
8.9%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.8%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
3.3%±1.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$117,962±$11k
46% above U.S.
$200,871±$21kHighest
149% above U.S.
$108,317±$13kLowest
34% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$407,000±$26k
22% above U.S.
$907,000±$46kHighest
173% above U.S.
$404,500±$32kLowest
22% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,661±$206
18% above U.S.
$776±$13Lowest
45% below U.S.
$1,664±$187Highest
18% above U.S.
Plaistow and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,554Lowest
110% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$7,194
131% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.7%±16.4Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
67.2%±60.6Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
55.3%±16.9
U.S.: 51.1%
Boxford and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
94.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1978Lowest
2 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
31 minHighest
18% above U.S.
29 min
8% above U.S.
Work from home
13.4%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
21.6%±5.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.6%±4
U.S.: 15.1%
Boxford and Plaistow 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 #30 of 120 in NH #34 of 282 in MA #66 of 120 in NH
School district Hooksett School District Boxford · Masconomet Timberlane Regional School District
High school in town None in town Masconomet Regional High School Timberlane Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.2Highest
11.4Lowest
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.