Compare towns

Marlow vs Brunswick vs Alstead

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Marlow has the highest household income ($110k).
Brunswick has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.3%).
Alstead has the most affordable homes ($272k 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.

MeasureMarlowBrunswickAlstead
People
Population
855Lowest
22,336Highest
1,551
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+7.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
52.8±11.7
36% above U.S.
40±2.8Lowest
about the U.S. average
56±3.3Highest
44% above U.S.
Alstead and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
17.2%±2.2
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Marlow and Brunswick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.5%±5.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.9%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
27.8%±4.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Marlow and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
33.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
53.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.3%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
13.3%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.4%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$110,455±$12kHighest
37% above U.S.
$74,952±$6k
7% below U.S.
$64,526±$11kLowest
20% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$325,400±$49k
about the U.S. average
$376,300±$15kHighest
13% above U.S.
$271,600±$37kLowest
18% below U.S.
Brunswick and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,154±$160Lowest
18% below U.S.
$1,469±$99Highest
4% above U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,826Highest
87% above U.S.
$4,756Lowest
52% above U.S.
$5,322
71% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
18.2%±95.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
56.4%±8.8
U.S.: 51.1%
72.1%±22.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Alstead and Brunswick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
71.2%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
76%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1973Lowest
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
33% above U.S.
23 minLowest
11% below U.S.
32 min
20% above U.S.
Work from home
0.8%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19.8%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±5.6
U.S.: 15.1%
Brunswick and Alstead 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 — #30 of 133 in ME —
School district Marlow School District Brunswick Public Schools · Brunswick-Region 10 Fall Mountain Regional School District
High school in town None in town Brunswick High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.9
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 4 photos → 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.