Compare towns
Hooksett vs Ludlow vs Springfield 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%).
Ludlow has the oldest population (median age 44.3).
Springfield has the most renters (50.4% 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 | Ludlow | Springfield | Plaistow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,057 |
20,904 |
154,749Highest |
7,861Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.3±1.5 6% above U.S. |
44.3±1.8Highest 14% above U.S. |
33.7±0.5Lowest 13% below U.S. |
40.1±3.7 3% above U.S. |
| Ludlow and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
16.4%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24.2%±0.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.8%±4.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Springfield and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.8%±2.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.4%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Ludlow 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%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
27% U.S.: 35.7% |
20.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±0.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.3%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $117,962±$11kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$84,838±$7k 5% above U.S. |
$52,656±$2kLowest 35% below U.S. |
$108,317±$13k 34% above U.S. |
| Hooksett and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $407,000±$26kHighest 22% above U.S. |
$335,300±$10k about the U.S. average |
$245,000±$4kLowest 26% below U.S. |
$404,500±$32k 22% above U.S. |
| Hooksett and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$206 18% above U.S. |
$1,223±$82 13% below U.S. |
$1,144±$55Lowest 19% 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 | $6,554 110% above U.S. |
$4,918 58% above U.S. |
$3,695Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$7,194Highest 131% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
50.7%±9.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
57.7%±3.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.3%±16.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Springfield and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
25.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
77.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
49.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
78.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1964 16 yrs older than U.S. |
1952Lowest 28 yrs older than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the U.S. average |
20 minLowest 24% below U.S. |
20 min 23% below U.S. |
29 minHighest 8% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.4%±3.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±3.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.6%±4 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ludlow 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 | #154 of 282 in MA | #276 of 282 in MA | #66 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hooksett School District | Ludlow | Springfield | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Ludlow Senior High | Springfield Central High | Timberlane Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1Lowest |
12.2Highest |
11.4 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.