Compare towns
Marlow vs Plainfield vs Springfield vs Monroe
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 the oldest population (median age 52.8).
Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 38.9).
Monroe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
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 | Plainfield | Springfield | Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 855 |
2,522Highest |
1,122 |
786Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% NH: +4.6% |
+4% NH: +4.6% |
-4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 52.8±11.7Highest 22% above NH |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
51.4±8.8 19% above NH |
51±10.4 18% above NH |
| Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.5%±6.3 NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
15.1%±8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.9%±7.6 NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Monroe 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% |
19.8%±4.5Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
30.3%±8.9 NH: 20.1% |
| Marlow and Monroe 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% |
46.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
36.4% NH: 40.6% |
25.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±2.2 NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3Highest NH: 6% |
0%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
1.1%±1.8 NH: 6% |
| Plainfield and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $110,455±$12k 12% above NH |
$122,656±$13kHighest 24% above NH |
$100,893±$19k about the NH average |
$88,150±$7kLowest 11% below NH |
| Plainfield and Marlow 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 |
$442,400±$47kHighest 10% above NH |
$384,100±$50k 5% below NH |
$312,700±$58kLowest 22% below NH |
| Plainfield and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,154±$160 23% below NH |
$1,674±$181Highest 12% above NH |
$1,096±$217Lowest 26% below NH |
$1,104±$218 26% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,826 13% below NH |
$7,904Highest 19% above NH |
$5,946 11% below NH |
$2,661Lowest 60% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 18.2%±95.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
25.9%±64.8 NH: 48.2% |
48%±39Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Monroe and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5.2% NH: 7.2% |
3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.2% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
87.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.7% NH: 72.8% |
88.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 31% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
34 min 29% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 0.8%±1.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.7%±11.6 NH: 16.8% |
3.2%±2.2 NH: 16.8% |
| Plainfield and Springfield 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 | — | #19 of 120 in NH | — | — |
| School district | Marlow School District | Plainfield School District | — | Monroe 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.