Compare towns
Lebanon vs Enfield vs Plainfield vs Portsmouth
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lebanon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.6%).
Enfield has the oldest population (median age 58.3).
Plainfield has the most kids (23.4% under 18).
Portsmouth has the most expensive homes ($689k 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.
| Measure | Lebanon | Enfield | Plainfield | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 14,999 |
4,475 |
2,522Lowest |
22,545Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-2.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4% NH: +4.6% |
+5.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 38.9±3.1Lowest 10% below NH |
58.3±5.4Highest 35% above NH |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
42.9±2 about the NH average |
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±2.4 NH: 18.2% |
7.9%±4.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
14%±1.9 NH: 18.2% |
| Age 65+ | 21.4%±2.6 NH: 20.1% |
30.7%±7.6Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±4.5Lowest NH: 20.1% |
21.9%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
| Enfield and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 57.5% NH: 40.6% |
43%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
46.7% NH: 40.6% |
64%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
2.7%±3.4Lowest NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3 NH: 6% |
3.8%±1.2 NH: 6% |
| Lebanon and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $98,147±$10k about the NH average |
$95,474±$19kLowest 4% below NH |
$122,656±$13kHighest 24% above NH |
$106,219±$7k 7% above NH |
| Plainfield and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $385,400±$29kLowest 4% below NH |
$390,800±$71k about the NH average |
$442,400±$47k 10% above NH |
$688,500±$39kHighest 71% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,744±$132 17% above NH |
$1,181±$563Lowest 21% below NH |
$1,674±$181 12% above NH |
$1,869±$111Highest 25% above NH |
| Portsmouth and Lebanon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,149Highest 22% above NH |
$6,203Lowest 7% below NH |
$7,904 19% above NH |
$8,018 20% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.9%±7.2 NH: 48.2% |
17.8%±16.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
50.4%±7.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Portsmouth and Lebanon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7% NH: 7.2% |
16.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5.2%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 51.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
87.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
51.9% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1959Lowest 20 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 14 minLowest 48% below NH |
24 minHighest 11% below NH |
22 min 18% below NH |
22 min 17% below NH |
| Work from home | 22.8%±4.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
11%±5.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5 NH: 16.8% |
21.9%±4 NH: 16.8% |
| Lebanon and Portsmouth 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 | #29 of 120 in NH | #5 of 120 in NH | #19 of 120 in NH | #11 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Lebanon School District | Mascoma Valley Regional School District | Plainfield School District | Portsmouth School District |
| High school in town | Lebanon High School | None in town | None in town | Portsmouth High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.7Highest |
— | — | 11.4Lowest |
| 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.