Compare towns
Lyme vs South Hampton vs Thornton 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).
South Hampton has the most kids (23.3% under 18).
Thornton has the most affordable homes ($352k median).
Hampton Falls has the most expensive homes ($773k 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 | Thornton | Hampton Falls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,710 |
984Lowest |
2,799Highest |
2,328 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+8.8% NH: +4.6% |
+7.5% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 48.6±7.8 12% above NH |
45.1±5.3Lowest 4% above NH |
51.1±3.4Highest 18% above NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
| Thornton and Hampton Falls 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% |
13.9%±4.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6 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%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Lyme and Hampton Falls 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% NH: 40.6% |
46.3%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.9 NH: 6% |
2.7%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.9Highest NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1 NH: 6% |
| Thornton and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $133,906±$15k 35% above NH |
$152,500±$44k 54% above NH |
$90,022±$17kLowest 9% below NH |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $645,000±$64k 60% above NH |
$661,100±$45k 64% above NH |
$351,900±$20kLowest 13% below NH |
$772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,418±$130 5% below NH |
$1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
$1,270±$428Lowest 15% below NH |
$1,852±$475 24% above NH |
| South Hampton and Hampton Falls 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 |
$5,032Lowest 25% below NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.8%±29.8 NH: 48.2% |
30%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
57.7%±24.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Thornton and Lyme 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% |
9.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
88.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
88.3% NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH |
1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 22% below NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
23 min 15% below NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
| Work from home | 27.2%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
29.8%±9.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
| Thornton 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 | — | — | #18 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Lyme School District | South Hampton School District | Thornton 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.