Compare towns
Hooksett vs Hudson vs Barrington 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
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Hudson has the highest household income ($124k).
Barrington has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Hampstead has the most expensive homes ($521k median).
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 | Hooksett | Hudson | Barrington | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,057 |
25,557Highest |
9,489 |
9,102Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+3.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+8.7% NH: +4.6% |
+5.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41.3±1.5 5% below NH |
45.7±1.9Highest 6% above NH |
38.7±2.3Lowest 11% below NH |
45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
| Hudson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
16.8%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.7%±4Highest NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
| Barrington and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
20.7%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
15.6%±2.7Lowest NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Hampstead and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.6% NH: 40.6% |
34.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
42.4% NH: 40.6% |
44.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
7%±1.7 NH: 6% |
5.3%±1.9 NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$124,213±$6kHighest 25% above NH |
$110,323±$14kLowest 11% above NH |
$112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
| Hudson and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $407,000±$26k about the NH average |
$438,900±$11k 9% above NH |
$399,100±$30kLowest about the NH average |
$521,100±$45kHighest 29% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$206 11% above NH |
$1,735±$123 16% above NH |
$1,867±$194Highest 25% above NH |
$1,299±$149Lowest 13% below NH |
| Barrington and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,554Lowest about the NH average |
$6,636 about the NH average |
$7,121 7% above NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
34.3%±7.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
63.1%±25.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Barrington and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4.6% NH: 7.2% |
7.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
82.6% NH: 72.8% |
87%Highest NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1983Lowest 4 yrs newer than NH |
1987 8 yrs newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the NH average |
31 minHighest 18% above NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
19.6%±3.6 NH: 16.8% |
18.7%±4.1 NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Hampstead and Hudson 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 | #63 of 120 in NH | #65 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hooksett School District | Hudson School District | Barrington School District | Hampstead School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Alvirne High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.6 |
— | — |
| 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.