Compare towns

Lebanon vs Middlesex vs Keene

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lebanon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.6%).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).
Keene has the most affordable homes ($253k 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.

MeasureLebanonMiddlesexKeene
People
Population
14,999
1,943Lowest
22,939Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
38.9±3.1
about the U.S. average
44.4±3.9Highest
14% above U.S.
37.6±2.3Lowest
3% below U.S.
Middlesex and Lebanon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.6%±2.4
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
14.1%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
21.4%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Lebanon and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
57.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
44.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
13.8%±1.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$98,147±$10k
22% above U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$78,445±$8kLowest
about the U.S. average
Middlesex and Lebanon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$385,400±$29kHighest
16% above U.S.
$376,300±$40k
13% above U.S.
$252,500±$12kLowest
24% below U.S.
Lebanon and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,744±$132Highest
23% above U.S.
$1,333±$359Lowest
6% below U.S.
$1,342±$68
5% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,149Highest
161% above U.S.
$6,483Lowest
108% above U.S.
$6,812
118% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.9%±7.2
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.5%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Keene and Lebanon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
10.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
51.2%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
55.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
same as U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1961Lowest
19 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
14 minLowest
47% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
17 min
35% below U.S.
Work from home
22.8%±4.3
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.6%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex 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 #29 of 120 in NH — #81 of 120 in NH
School district Lebanon School District Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Keene School District
High school in town Lebanon High School None in town Keene High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.7Lowest
—
12.3Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet 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.