Compare towns
Milford vs Somersworth vs Salem
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%).
Somersworth has the most affordable homes ($318k median).
Salem has the most expensive homes ($473k 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 | Somersworth | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 16,337 |
12,111Lowest |
30,964Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+0.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 36.8±2.5Lowest 15% below NH |
38.4±2.7 11% below NH |
44.6±2.7Highest 3% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 23.7%±3.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.9%±4 NH: 18.2% |
16.2%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Milford and Somersworth 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% |
14%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
18.6%±1.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Salem 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% |
31.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
38.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
4.9%±2Highest NH: 6% |
4.3%±1 NH: 6% |
| Somersworth and Salem 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 |
$74,504±$13kLowest 25% below NH |
$110,490±$9kHighest 12% above NH |
| Salem 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 |
$318,400±$23kLowest 21% below NH |
$473,300±$16kHighest 18% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$126Highest 11% above NH |
$1,477±$134Lowest about the NH average |
$1,625±$146 9% above NH |
| Milford and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,522Highest 13% above NH |
$6,805Lowest about the NH average |
$6,992 5% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.6%±15.8 NH: 48.2% |
56.3%±14.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±9.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Somersworth 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% |
11.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 64.9% NH: 72.8% |
57.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
75.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 3 yrs newer than NH |
1967Lowest 12 yrs older than NH |
1977 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the NH average |
26 minLowest 3% below NH |
29 minHighest 9% above NH |
| Work from home | 15.6%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
11.7%±3.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16.3%±2.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Salem 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 | #117 of 120 in NH | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Milford School District | Somersworth School District | Salem School District |
| High school in town | Milford High School | Somersworth High School | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
11.4Highest |
11.2 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.