Compare towns
Hopkinton vs Lebanon vs Somersworth vs Bow
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hopkinton has the oldest population (median age 45).
Lebanon has the shortest commute (14 min average).
Somersworth has the most affordable homes ($318k median).
Bow has the highest household income ($173k).
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 | Hopkinton | Lebanon | Somersworth | Bow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 6,037Lowest |
14,999Highest |
12,111 |
8,335 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8% NH: +4.6% |
+8.6% NH: +4.6% |
+0.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45±2.8Highest 4% above NH |
38.9±3.1 10% below NH |
38.4±2.7Lowest 11% below NH |
41.5±2 4% below NH |
| Hopkinton and Bow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.8%±4.1 NH: 18.2% |
14.6%±2.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.9%±4 NH: 18.2% |
25%±3.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Bow and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.9%±4.2 NH: 20.1% |
21.4%±2.6Highest NH: 20.1% |
14%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
17.6%±2.5 NH: 20.1% |
| Lebanon and Hopkinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 58.2% NH: 40.6% |
57.5% NH: 40.6% |
31.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
60.3%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.9%±4.4Highest NH: 6% |
6.9%±2.6 NH: 6% |
4.9%±2Lowest NH: 6% |
5.6%±1.9 NH: 6% |
| Hopkinton and Lebanon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $137,477±$21k 39% above NH |
$98,147±$10k about the NH average |
$74,504±$13kLowest 25% below NH |
$172,857±$16kHighest 75% above NH |
| Bow and Hopkinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $506,900±$54kHighest 26% above NH |
$385,400±$29k 4% below NH |
$318,400±$23kLowest 21% below NH |
$506,500±$34k 26% above NH |
| Hopkinton and Bow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,270±$129Lowest 15% below NH |
$1,744±$132Highest 17% above NH |
$1,477±$134 about the NH average |
$1,539±$178 3% above NH |
| Lebanon and Bow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$8,149 22% above NH |
$6,805Lowest about the NH average |
$9,584 44% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.4%±6 NH: 48.2% |
41.9%±7.2 NH: 48.2% |
56.3%±14.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
39%±13.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Somersworth and Hopkinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.5% NH: 7.2% |
7% NH: 7.2% |
11.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.7%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.3% NH: 72.8% |
51.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
57.8% NH: 72.8% |
87.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 11 yrs older than NH |
1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1967Lowest 12 yrs older than NH |
1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 17% below NH |
14 minLowest 48% below NH |
26 min 3% below NH |
27 minHighest about the NH average |
| Work from home | 23.8%±8.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
22.8%±4.3 NH: 16.8% |
11.7%±3.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
22.7%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Hopkinton and Lebanon 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 | #28 of 120 in NH | #29 of 120 in NH | #117 of 120 in NH | #26 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hopkinton School District | Lebanon School District | Somersworth School District | Bow School District |
| High school in town | Hopkinton High School | Lebanon High School | Somersworth High School | Bow High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0 |
11.7 |
11.4Lowest |
12.8Highest |
| 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.