Compare towns
Hooksett vs Lee vs Rye vs Plaistow
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%).
Lee has the most homeowners (95.8%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k 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.
| Measure | Hooksett | Lee | Rye | Plaistow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,057Highest |
4,576Lowest |
5,611 |
7,861 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.4% NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
+2.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41.3±1.5 5% below NH |
42.9±1.9 about the NH average |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
40.1±3.7Lowest 7% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±2.9Lowest NH: 18.2% |
21.9%±5.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4 NH: 18.2% |
19.8%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Lee 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 NH: 20.1% |
22.6%±6.8 NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.4%±3.7 NH: 20.1% |
| Rye and Lee 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% |
50.6% NH: 40.6% |
61.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
34.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
5.4%±2.6 NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
3.3%±1.4 NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Lee 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 |
$131,579±$54k 33% above NH |
$140,655±$39kHighest 42% above NH |
$108,317±$13kLowest 9% above NH |
| Rye and Lee 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 |
$480,600±$61k 19% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
$404,500±$32kLowest about the NH average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$206Lowest 11% above NH |
— | $1,781±$156Highest 19% above NH |
$1,664±$187 12% above NH |
| Rye and Plaistow 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 |
$9,661Highest 45% above NH |
$7,519 13% above NH |
$7,194 8% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
38.3%±53.3Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
55.3%±16.9Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Plaistow and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3% NH: 7.2% |
2.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4.5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.6% NH: 72.8% |
95.8%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.5% NH: 72.8% |
78.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1987 8 yrs newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
1978 1 yr older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the NH average |
28 min about the NH average |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
29 min 7% above NH |
| Work from home | 13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
27.6%±8.8 NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
13.6%±4 NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Lee 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 | #3 of 120 in NH | #2 of 120 in NH | #66 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hooksett School District | Oyster River Coop School District | Rye School District | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Timberlane Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 11.4 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 10 photos → | 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.