Compare towns
Hooksett vs Hudson vs Barrington vs Manchester
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 oldest population (median age 45.7).
Barrington has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Manchester has the most renters (51.3% 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.
| Measure | Hooksett | Hudson | Barrington | Manchester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,057 |
25,557 |
9,489Lowest |
115,643Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+3.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+8.7% NH: +4.6% |
+5.5% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41.3±1.5 5% below NH |
45.7±1.9Highest 6% above NH |
38.7±2.3 11% below NH |
38±1Lowest 12% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
16.8%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.7%±4Highest NH: 18.2% |
18%±1 NH: 18.2% |
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
20.7%±2.4Highest NH: 20.1% |
15.6%±2.7 NH: 20.1% |
15.5%±0.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Hudson and Hooksett 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% NH: 40.6% |
42.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
34%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
7%±1.7 NH: 6% |
5.3%±1.9Lowest NH: 6% |
6.4%±0.7 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±$14k 11% above NH |
$81,007±$2kLowest 18% below 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±$11kHighest 9% above NH |
$399,100±$30k about the NH average |
$365,600±$7kLowest 9% below NH |
| Hudson and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$206 11% above NH |
$1,735±$123 16% above NH |
$1,867±$194Highest 25% above NH |
$1,564±$37Lowest 5% above NH |
| Barrington and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,554 about the NH average |
$6,636 about the NH average |
$7,121Highest 7% above NH |
$5,922Lowest 11% below 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% |
50%±3.6 NH: 48.2% |
| Barrington and Manchester 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% NH: 7.2% |
11.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.6% NH: 72.8% |
82.6% NH: 72.8% |
87%Highest NH: 72.8% |
48.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
1987 8 yrs newer than NH |
1966Lowest 13 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the NH average |
31 minHighest 18% above NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
24 minLowest 10% below NH |
| Work from home | 13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
19.6%±3.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
18.7%±4.1 NH: 16.8% |
14.1%±1.3 NH: 16.8% |
| Hudson and Barrington 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 | #115 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hooksett School District | Hudson School District | Barrington School District | Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies · Manchester School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Alvirne High School | None in town | Manchester Memorial High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.6Lowest |
— | 14.3Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet | 6 photos → |
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.