Compare towns
Lyme vs South Hampton vs Rye
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).
South Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k 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.
| Measure | Lyme | South Hampton | Rye |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,710 |
984Lowest |
5,611Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 48.6±7.8 12% above NH |
45.1±5.3Lowest 4% above NH |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
| Rye and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.5%±3.4 NH: 18.2% |
23.3%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| South Hampton and Lyme 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% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest 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% |
52.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.9Highest NH: 6% |
2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
| Lyme 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 | $133,906±$15kLowest 35% above NH |
$152,500±$44kHighest 54% above NH |
$140,655±$39k 42% 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 | $645,000±$64kLowest 60% above NH |
$661,100±$45k 64% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,418±$130Lowest 5% below NH |
$1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
$1,781±$156 19% 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 | $10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$9,109 37% above NH |
$7,519Lowest 13% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.8%±29.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
30%±40.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 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% |
3.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
88.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Highest 2 yrs older than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 22% below NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
| Work from home | 27.2%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest 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 | — | — | #2 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Lyme School District | South Hampton School District | Rye School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.