Compare towns

Milford vs Rye vs Somersworth 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.7%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Somersworth has the most affordable homes ($318k 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.

MeasureMilfordRyeSomersworthDerry
People
Population
16,337
5,611Lowest
12,111
34,116Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.7%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+4.6%
NH: +4.6%
+0.8%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+3.6%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
36.8±2.5Lowest
15% below NH
55.1±3Highest
27% above NH
38.4±2.7
11% below NH
40.3±1.6
7% below NH
Kids under 18
23.7%±3.6Highest
NH: 18.2%
18.2%±4Lowest
NH: 18.2%
19.9%±4
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%±1.9
NH: 20.1%
31.7%±5.3Highest
NH: 20.1%
14%±3Lowest
NH: 20.1%
15.2%±1.6
NH: 20.1%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.2%
NH: 40.6%
61.5%Highest
NH: 40.6%
31.4%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
37.4%
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.3
NH: 6%
2.2%±1.3Lowest
NH: 6%
4.9%±2
NH: 6%
6.1%±1.5Highest
NH: 6%
Derry and Somersworth 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
$140,655±$39kHighest
42% above NH
$74,504±$13kLowest
25% below NH
$108,944±$7k
10% above NH
Rye and Derry 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
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
155% above NH
$318,400±$23kLowest
21% below NH
$432,000±$17k
7% above NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,661±$126
11% above NH
$1,781±$156Highest
19% above NH
$1,477±$134Lowest
about the NH average
$1,547±$138
4% above NH
Rye 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
$7,519
13% above NH
$6,805Lowest
about the NH average
$8,103Highest
22% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.6%±15.8
NH: 48.2%
44.3%±16.1Lowest
NH: 48.2%
56.3%±14.7Highest
NH: 48.2%
51.6%±9
NH: 48.2%
Somersworth and Derry 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%
6.9%
NH: 7.2%
11.2%Highest
NH: 7.2%
4%
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
64.9%
NH: 72.8%
85.5%Highest
NH: 72.8%
57.8%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
70.2%
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
3 yrs newer than NH
1972
7 yrs older than NH
1967Lowest
12 yrs older than NH
1983Highest
4 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the NH average
29 min
8% above NH
26 minLowest
3% below NH
31 minHighest
16% above NH
Work from home
15.6%±3.3
NH: 16.8%
30.9%±7.6Highest
NH: 16.8%
11.7%±3.5Lowest
NH: 16.8%
16%±2.8
NH: 16.8%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #55 of 120 in NH #2 of 120 in NH #117 of 120 in NH #60 of 120 in NH
School district Milford School District Rye School District Somersworth School District Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District
High school in town Milford High School None in town Somersworth High School Pinkerton Academy
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7Lowest
—
11.4
13.9Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet 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.