Compare towns
Lee vs Rye vs South Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lee has the most affordable homes ($481k median).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
South Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
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 | Lee | Rye | South Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,576 |
5,611Highest |
984Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
+9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.9±1.9Lowest about the NH average |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 21.9%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.3%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
| South Hampton and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±6.8 NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Rye and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 50.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
52.4% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| Lee and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $131,579±$54kLowest 33% above NH |
$140,655±$39k 42% above NH |
$152,500±$44kHighest 54% above NH |
| South Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $480,600±$61kLowest 19% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
$661,100±$45k 64% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,781±$156Lowest 19% above NH |
$1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
| South Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,661Highest 45% above NH |
$7,519Lowest 13% above NH |
$9,109 37% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.3%±53.3 NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
30%±40.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Rye and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.8%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
88.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest about the NH average |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
| Work from home | 27.6%±8.8 NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Lee 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 | #3 of 120 in NH | #2 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Oyster River Coop School District | Rye School District | South Hampton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 10 photos → | 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.