Compare towns

Milford vs Portsmouth vs Milford

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.7%).
Portsmouth has the most expensive homes ($689k median).
Milford has the most affordable homes ($358k 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.

MeasureMilfordPortsmouthMilford
People
Population
16,337
22,545Highest
8,956Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.7%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+5.7%
NH: +4.6%
+4.3%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
Median age
36.8±2.5
15% below NH
42.9±2Highest
about the NH average
36.7±3.7Lowest
15% below NH
Kids under 18
23.7%±3.6Highest
NH: 18.2%
14%±1.9Lowest
NH: 18.2%
23.2%±4
NH: 18.2%
Milford and Milford 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%
21.9%±2.4Highest
NH: 20.1%
18.1%±2.5
NH: 20.1%
Portsmouth and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.2%
NH: 40.6%
64%Highest
NH: 40.6%
33.6%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.3Highest
NH: 6%
3.8%±1.2
NH: 6%
3.3%±1.7Lowest
NH: 6%
Milford and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$97,768±$14k
about the NH average
$106,219±$7kHighest
7% above NH
$78,684±$11kLowest
21% below NH
Portsmouth and Milford 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
$688,500±$39kHighest
71% above NH
$357,800±$16kLowest
11% below NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,661±$126
11% above NH
$1,869±$111Highest
25% above NH
$1,557±$120Lowest
4% above NH
Portsmouth 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
$8,018Highest
20% above NH
$6,978Lowest
5% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.6%±15.8
NH: 48.2%
50.4%±7.2Highest
NH: 48.2%
48.2%±10.7Lowest
NH: 48.2%
Portsmouth 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%
6.8%Highest
NH: 7.2%
5.9%
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
64.9%Highest
NH: 72.8%
51.9%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
59.4%
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
3 yrs newer than NH
1959Lowest
20 yrs older than NH
1976
3 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minHighest
about the NH average
22 minLowest
17% below NH
26 min
about the NH average
Work from home
15.6%±3.3
NH: 16.8%
21.9%±4Highest
NH: 16.8%
12.1%±3.9Lowest
NH: 16.8%
Portsmouth 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 #11 of 120 in NH #55 of 120 in NH
School district Milford School District Portsmouth School District —
High school in town Milford High School Portsmouth High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7Lowest
11.4Highest
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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.