Compare towns
Hooksett vs Rye 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%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Hampstead has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
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 | Rye | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 15,057Highest |
5,611Lowest |
9,102 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±2.9Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4 NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Rye 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% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
44.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$140,655±$39kHighest 42% above NH |
$112,348±$18kLowest 13% above NH |
| Rye 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±$26kLowest about the NH average |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$206 11% above NH |
$1,781±$156Highest 19% above NH |
$1,299±$149Lowest 13% below NH |
| Rye and Hooksett 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 |
$7,519 13% above NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±16.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Rye 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% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
85.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the NH average |
29 min 8% above NH |
30 minHighest 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Hampstead 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 | #2 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hooksett School District | Rye School District | Hampstead School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.