Compare towns
Meredith vs Hooksett vs Exeter vs Sanbornton
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 the oldest population (median age 55.5).
Hooksett has the most affordable homes ($407k median).
Exeter has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.2%).
Sanbornton has the most homeowners (85.9%).
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 | Hooksett | Exeter | Sanbornton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 6,758 |
15,057 |
16,151Highest |
3,053Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.7% NH: +4.6% |
+10.6% NH: +4.6% |
+12.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.5±3.7Highest 28% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
45.8±2.3 6% above NH |
41.9±5.4 3% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 12.6%±3.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
17%±2.7 NH: 18.2% |
18.1%±5.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Sanbornton and Hooksett 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% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
24.4%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
21.5%±4.4 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.9% NH: 40.6% |
39.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
59.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
39.7% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±1.2 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
6.1%±1.8 NH: 6% |
1.9%±1.4Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $87,019±$19kLowest 12% below NH |
$117,962±$11kHighest 19% above NH |
$110,346±$13k 11% above NH |
$113,750±$41k 15% above NH |
| Hooksett and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $480,100±$48kHighest 19% above NH |
$407,000±$26kLowest about the NH average |
$456,600±$21k 13% above NH |
$452,300±$30k 12% above NH |
| Meredith and Exeter 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 |
$1,661±$206 11% above NH |
$1,856±$223Highest 24% above NH |
$1,289±$198 14% below NH |
| Exeter and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,006Lowest 25% below NH |
$6,554 about the NH average |
$8,814Highest 32% above NH |
$5,731 14% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.5%±9.2 NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
59%±11.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
29.3%±23.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Exeter and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4.7% NH: 7.2% |
4.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.8% NH: 72.8% |
80.6% NH: 72.8% |
69.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
85.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1979 same as NH |
1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min about the NH average |
27 min about the NH average |
25 minLowest 7% below NH |
31 minHighest 16% above NH |
| Work from home | 23.7%±4.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
19.9%±3.7 NH: 16.8% |
15.8%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
| Meredith and Exeter 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 | #30 of 120 in NH | #22 of 120 in NH | #42 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District | Hooksett School District | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Exeter School District | Winnisquam Regional School District |
| High school in town | Inter-Lakes High School | None in town | Exeter High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1Lowest |
— | 12.1Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 59 photos → | 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.