Compare towns

Keene vs White River Junction vs Norwich

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Keene has the most affordable homes ($253k median).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Norwich has the most expensive homes ($638k median).

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.

MeasureKeeneWhite River JunctionNorwich
People
Population
22,939Highest
3,364Lowest
3,640
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
37.6±2.3
3% below U.S.
33.7±3.2Lowest
13% below U.S.
40.8±3.2Highest
5% above U.S.
Norwich and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.1%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±5
U.S.: 22%
24%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Norwich and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.5%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
16%±3.4
U.S.: 17.2%
Keene and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
38.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
81%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.8%±1.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.8%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$78,445±$8k
about the U.S. average
$77,168±$4kLowest
4% below U.S.
$140,313±$12kHighest
74% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$252,500±$12kLowest
24% below U.S.
$278,800±$78k
16% below U.S.
$637,500±$76kHighest
92% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,342±$68
5% below U.S.
$1,222±$216Lowest
14% below U.S.
$1,460±$322Highest
3% above U.S.
Norwich and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,812
118% above U.S.
$5,651Lowest
81% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.5%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.9%±17.3
U.S.: 51.1%
30.7%±19.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Keene and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
12.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
55.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
43.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
71.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1961Lowest
19 yrs older than U.S.
1963
17 yrs older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
17 min
35% below U.S.
15 minLowest
42% below U.S.
19 minHighest
28% below U.S.
Work from home
15.6%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.7%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
21%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Norwich and White River Junction 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 #81 of 120 in NH — #1 of 70 in VT
School district Keene School District — Norwich School District
High school in town Keene High School — None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
12.3
— —
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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.