Compare towns
Meredith vs Alstead vs Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Meredith has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.7%).
Alstead has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Hampton has the most expensive homes ($550k 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 | Meredith | Alstead | Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,758 |
1,551Lowest |
16,426Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-3.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.1% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.5±3.7Lowest 28% above NH |
56±3.3Highest 29% above NH |
55.8±2.1 29% above NH |
| Alstead and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 12.6%±3.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
12.3%±3.1 NH: 18.2% |
11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Meredith and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 34.2%±5Highest NH: 20.1% |
27.8%±4.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
30.9%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
| Meredith and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.3%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
42.8% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±1.2Lowest NH: 6% |
3.4%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
3.1%±1.1 NH: 6% |
| Alstead and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $87,019±$19k 12% below NH |
$64,526±$11kLowest 35% below NH |
$95,233±$9kHighest 4% below NH |
| Hampton and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $480,100±$48k 19% above NH |
$271,600±$37kLowest 33% below NH |
$550,200±$39kHighest 37% above NH |
| Hampton and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,149±$304Lowest 23% below NH |
— | $1,628±$94Highest 9% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,006Lowest 25% below NH |
$5,322 20% below NH |
$6,813Highest about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.5%±9.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
72.1%±22.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
56.8%±10.4 NH: 48.2% |
| Alstead and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.7% NH: 7.2% |
8.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.8% NH: 72.8% |
76%Highest NH: 72.8% |
73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 4 yrs older than NH |
1973Lowest 6 yrs older than NH |
1978Highest 1 yr older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min about the NH average |
32 minHighest 19% above NH |
26 minLowest 3% below NH |
| Work from home | 23.7%±4.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
12.1%±5.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
| Meredith and Hampton 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 | #62 of 120 in NH | — | #31 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District | Fall Mountain Regional School District | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District |
| High school in town | Inter-Lakes High School | None in town | Winnacunnet High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1Highest |
— | 10.1Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.