Compare towns
Marlow vs Canaan vs Springfield vs Alstead
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Marlow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Canaan has the youngest population (median age 44.4).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k median).
Alstead has the oldest population (median age 56).
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 | Marlow | Canaan | Springfield | Alstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 855Lowest |
3,811Highest |
1,122 |
1,551 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-2.9% NH: +4.6% |
-4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-3.8% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 52.8±11.7 22% above NH |
44.4±3.7Lowest about the NH average |
51.4±8.8 19% above NH |
56±3.3Highest 29% above NH |
| 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 NH: 18.2% |
14.7%±4.6 NH: 18.2% |
15.1%±8 NH: 18.2% |
12.3%±3.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.5%±5.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.1%±4.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±1.6 NH: 20.1% |
27.8%±4.2 NH: 20.1% |
| 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% NH: 40.6% |
28.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
36.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.3% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±2.2 NH: 6% |
7%±2.5Highest NH: 6% |
0%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
3.4%±2.6 NH: 6% |
| Canaan and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $110,455±$12kHighest 12% above NH |
$81,583±$6k 18% below NH |
$100,893±$19k about the NH average |
$64,526±$11kLowest 35% below NH |
| Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $325,400±$49k 19% below NH |
$254,000±$26kLowest 37% below NH |
$384,100±$50kHighest 5% below NH |
$271,600±$37k 33% below NH |
| Springfield and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,154±$160Highest 23% below NH |
$1,140±$90 24% below NH |
$1,096±$217Lowest 26% below NH |
— |
| Marlow and Canaan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,826 13% below NH |
$5,985Highest 10% below NH |
$5,946 11% below NH |
$5,322Lowest 20% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 18.2%±95.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
74.4%±25.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
25.9%±64.8 NH: 48.2% |
72.1%±22.3 NH: 48.2% |
| Canaan and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.9% NH: 7.2% |
13.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.9% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
77.3% NH: 72.8% |
90.7% NH: 72.8% |
76%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1975 4 yrs older than NH |
1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1973Lowest 6 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 31% above NH |
30 minLowest 12% above NH |
34 min 29% above NH |
32 min 19% above NH |
| Work from home | 0.8%±1.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
14.9%±6 NH: 16.8% |
16.7%±11.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
12.1%±5.6 NH: 16.8% |
| Springfield and Canaan 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 | — | #83 of 120 in NH | — | — |
| School district | Marlow School District | Mascoma Valley Regional School District | — | Fall Mountain Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Mascoma Valley Regional High School | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.3 |
— | — |
| 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.