Compare towns
Lyme vs North Hampton vs Rye vs Hampton Falls
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lyme has the shortest commute (21 min average).
North Hampton has the most homeowners (91.3%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Hampton Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
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 | Lyme | North Hampton | Rye | Hampton Falls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,710Lowest |
4,543 |
5,611Highest |
2,328 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.5% NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
+7.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 48.6±7.8Lowest 12% above NH |
50.5±3.3 17% above NH |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
| Rye and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.5%±3.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.2%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
| Lyme and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.5%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
26%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Rye and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5% NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.9 NH: 6% |
2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1Highest NH: 6% |
| Hampton Falls and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $133,906±$15kLowest 35% above NH |
$146,458±$29k 48% above NH |
$140,655±$39k 42% above NH |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $645,000±$64kLowest 60% above NH |
$670,400±$61k 67% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
$772,600±$76k 92% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,418±$130Lowest 5% below NH |
$1,805±$106 21% above NH |
$1,781±$156 19% above NH |
$1,852±$475Highest 24% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$8,529 28% above NH |
$7,519Lowest 13% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.8%±29.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7 NH: 48.2% |
| Lyme and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.4% NH: 7.2% |
2.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
91.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.5% NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 22% below NH |
25 min 8% below NH |
29 min 8% above NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
| Work from home | 27.2%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Lyme 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 | — | #12 of 120 in NH | #2 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Lyme School District | North Hampton School District | Rye School District | Hampton Falls School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.