Compare towns
Milford vs Hooksett vs Derry
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Milford has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+27.4%).
Derry has the most expensive homes ($432k 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 | Milford | Hooksett | Derry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 16,337 |
5,876Lowest |
34,116Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.7% NH: +4.6% |
+27.4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+3.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 36.8±2.5Lowest 15% below NH |
42.6±2Highest about the NH average |
40.3±1.6 7% below NH |
| Hooksett and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.7%±3.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.7%±3.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.7%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
| Milford and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.1%±1.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
20.7%±3.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
15.2%±1.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Hooksett and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
41.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
37.4% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
6.2%±3.7Highest NH: 6% |
6.1%±1.5 NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $97,768±$14kLowest about the NH average |
$101,053±$25k about the NH average |
$108,944±$7kHighest 10% above NH |
| Derry and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $398,800±$20k about the NH average |
$348,100±$32kLowest 14% below NH |
$432,000±$17kHighest 7% above NH |
| Derry and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$126 11% above NH |
$1,811±$283Highest 21% above NH |
$1,547±$138Lowest 4% above NH |
| Hooksett and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,522 13% above NH |
$4,960Lowest 26% below NH |
$8,103Highest 22% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.6%±15.8 NH: 48.2% |
46%±20.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
51.6%±9Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Derry and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 64.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
72.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
70.2% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Lowest 3 yrs newer than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the NH average |
29 min 9% above NH |
31 minHighest 16% above NH |
| Work from home | 15.6%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
14.4%±4.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16%±2.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Derry and Milford 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 | #55 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH | #60 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Milford School District | — | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District |
| High school in town | Milford High School | — | Pinkerton Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
— | 13.9Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.