Compare towns
Meredith vs Stowe vs Worcester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Meredith has the oldest population (median age 55.5).
Stowe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+21.1%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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 | Stowe | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,758Highest |
5,285 |
831Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
+21.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 55.5±3.7Highest 43% above U.S. |
46.3±7.6Lowest 19% above U.S. |
47±2.7 21% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 12.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.5%±4.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
12.8%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 34.2%±5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.8%±6.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Meredith and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
66.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
53% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±1.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.6%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.9%±4.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Worcester and Meredith 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 8% above U.S. |
$93,618±$33kHighest 16% above U.S. |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below U.S. |
| Stowe 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 44% above U.S. |
$647,800±$157kHighest 95% above U.S. |
$271,100±$27kLowest 19% below U.S. |
| Stowe and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,149±$304 19% below U.S. |
$1,458±$242Highest 3% above U.S. |
$1,023±$136Lowest 28% below U.S. |
| Stowe and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,006 61% above U.S. |
$7,161Highest 130% above U.S. |
$4,421Lowest 42% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.5%±9.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
24.5%±15.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
25.5%±37 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Meredith and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
9.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
78.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min about the U.S. average |
19 minLowest 27% below U.S. |
29 minHighest 9% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 23.7%±4.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
24.4%±8.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.6%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Stowe and Meredith 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 | — | — |
| School district | Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District | Stowe Town School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | Inter-Lakes High School | Stowe High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1Lowest |
11.3Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.