Compare towns
Jefferson vs Waltham vs Lancaster
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jefferson has the most homeowners (90.5%).
Waltham has the highest household income ($98k).
Lancaster has the most kids (20.9% 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 | Jefferson | Waltham | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,013 |
452Lowest |
3,216Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | -8.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 58±3.5 49% above U.S. |
60.8±7.3Highest 56% above U.S. |
45.5±6.9Lowest 17% above U.S. |
| Waltham and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 12.5%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
12.8%±7.4 U.S.: 22% |
20.9%±6.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Lancaster and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.7%±9.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
45.4%±3.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.4%±5.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Waltham and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
30.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.2%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±2.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Waltham and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $67,188±$13kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$97,500±$14kHighest 21% above U.S. |
$68,911±$23k 15% below U.S. |
| Waltham and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $296,700±$92k 11% below U.S. |
$329,700±$51kHighest about the U.S. average |
$215,700±$24kLowest 35% below U.S. |
| Waltham and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $867±$156Lowest 39% below U.S. |
$1,096±$113Highest 22% below U.S. |
$1,019±$263 28% below U.S. |
| Waltham and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,196Lowest 35% above U.S. |
$5,714Highest 83% above U.S. |
$4,226 35% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 16.7%±71.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
29.2%±58.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
36.1%±17Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Lancaster and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
16.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1986 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1942Lowest 38 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 31% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 17.5%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
20.6%±5.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Waltham and Jefferson 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 | — | — | #107 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | — | White Mountains Regional School District |
| High school in town | — | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 20 photos → | 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.