Compare towns
Lyme vs Springfield vs Webster 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).
Springfield has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Webster has the most kids (22.6% under 18).
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 | Springfield | Webster | Hampton Falls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,710 |
1,122Lowest |
2,227 |
2,328Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.7% NH: +4.6% |
-4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+2.2% NH: +4.6% |
+7.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 48.6±7.8 12% above NH |
51.4±8.8Highest 19% above NH |
44.7±7.6Lowest 3% above NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
| Springfield 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% |
15.1%±8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
22.6%±8Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
| Webster 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% |
19.8%±1.6 NH: 20.1% |
19.4%±1.3Lowest 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% |
36.4% NH: 40.6% |
30.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.9 NH: 6% |
0%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
3%±1.4 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±$15k 35% above NH |
$100,893±$19kLowest about the NH average |
$107,171±$14k 8% above NH |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $645,000±$64k 60% above NH |
$384,100±$50k 5% below NH |
$338,500±$30kLowest 16% below NH |
$772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and Lyme 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 |
$1,096±$217Lowest 26% below NH |
$1,396±$622 6% below NH |
$1,852±$475Highest 24% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and Lyme 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 |
$5,946Lowest 11% below NH |
$6,021 10% below NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.8%±29.8 NH: 48.2% |
25.9%±64.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
53.6%±71Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7 NH: 48.2% |
| Webster 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% |
3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
9.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.7% NH: 72.8% |
96%Highest NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1979 same as NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 22% below NH |
34 minHighest 29% above NH |
31 min 14% above NH |
32 min 21% above NH |
| Work from home | 27.2%±5.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.7%±11.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
17.1%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
| Lyme and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Lyme School District | — | Merrimack Valley School District | Hampton Falls 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 | 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.