Compare towns
Lyman vs Rye vs Acton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
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 | Lyman | Rye | Acton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,612 |
5,611Highest |
2,721Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 53.8±2 38% above U.S. |
55.1±3Highest 42% above U.S. |
52.9±4.2Lowest 36% above U.S. |
| Rye and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.2%±4 U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
13.1%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Rye and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.1%±6.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
31.7%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.2%±4.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Rye and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
61.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
24.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Acton and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $87,284±$14k 8% above U.S. |
$140,655±$39kHighest 74% above U.S. |
$78,750±$15kLowest about the U.S. average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $360,400±$44k 8% above U.S. |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 209% above U.S. |
$334,300±$34kLowest about the U.S. average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,063±$522Lowest 25% below U.S. |
$1,781±$156Highest 26% above U.S. |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,717 13% below U.S. |
$7,519Highest 141% above U.S. |
$2,680Lowest 14% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.7%±44.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.3%±16.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Acton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 1 yr older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 26% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 9% above U.S. |
40 minHighest 53% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.9%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
30.9%±7.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.2%±8.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Rye and Lyman 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 | #40 of 133 in ME | #2 of 120 in NH | #43 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 57/MSAD 57 | Rye School District | Acton Public Schools |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.