Compare towns

Lisbon vs Northfield 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

Lisbon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.6%).
Northfield has the most expensive homes ($274k median).
Lancaster has the most homeowners (75.1%).

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.

MeasureLisbonNorthfieldLancaster
People
Population
1,583Lowest
5,920Highest
3,216
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-4.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
-8.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
46.4±5.7Highest
19% above U.S.
36.4±4.1Lowest
6% below U.S.
45.5±6.9
17% above U.S.
Lisbon and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.5%±6.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
14.6%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
20.9%±6.1
U.S.: 22%
Lisbon and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.8%±5
U.S.: 17.2%
20%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
28.4%±5.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Lancaster and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.6%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
30.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
15.1%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.9%±2.2
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$65,500±$13kLowest
19% below U.S.
$71,768±$13kHighest
11% below U.S.
$68,911±$23k
15% below U.S.
Northfield and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$198,000±$19kLowest
40% below U.S.
$274,400±$21kHighest
18% below U.S.
$215,700±$24k
35% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,344±$303Highest
5% below U.S.
$1,018±$207Lowest
28% below U.S.
$1,019±$263
28% below U.S.
Lisbon and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,691
50% above U.S.
$4,878Highest
56% above U.S.
$4,226Lowest
35% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±18.9
U.S.: 51.1%
63.3%±17.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
36.1%±17Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Northfield and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
16.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
73.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
75.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969Highest
11 yrs older than U.S.
1956
24 yrs older than U.S.
1942Lowest
38 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
19% below U.S.
27 minHighest
3% above U.S.
23 min
13% below U.S.
Work from home
10.3%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.5%±6.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Northfield and Lancaster 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 — #42 of 70 in VT #107 of 120 in NH
School district Lisbon Regional School District Paine Mountain Union School District #68 White Mountains Regional School District
High school in town Lisbon Regional School (High) Northfield Middle/High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
6.4Lowest
10.0Highest
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On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.