Compare towns

Milford vs Springfield vs Derry vs Hooksett

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).
Springfield has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Derry has the most expensive homes ($432k median).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).

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.

MeasureMilfordSpringfieldDerryHooksett
People
Population
16,337
1,122Lowest
34,116Highest
15,057
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.7%
NH: +4.6%
-4%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+3.6%
NH: +4.6%
+10.6%Highest
NH: +4.6%
Median age
36.8±2.5Lowest
15% below NH
51.4±8.8Highest
19% above NH
40.3±1.6
7% below NH
41.3±1.5
5% below NH
Springfield and Hooksett 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%
15.1%±8Lowest
NH: 18.2%
20.7%±2.1
NH: 18.2%
17.4%±2.9
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%
19.8%±1.6Highest
NH: 20.1%
15.2%±1.6
NH: 20.1%
17.3%±2.4
NH: 20.1%
Springfield and Hooksett 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%
36.4%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
37.4%
NH: 40.6%
39.6%Highest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.3
NH: 6%
0%±1.5Lowest
NH: 6%
6.1%±1.5
NH: 6%
8.9%±1.6Highest
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
$100,893±$19k
about the NH average
$108,944±$7k
10% above NH
$117,962±$11kHighest
19% above NH
Hooksett 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
$384,100±$50kLowest
5% below NH
$432,000±$17kHighest
7% above NH
$407,000±$26k
about the NH average
Derry and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,661±$126Highest
11% above NH
$1,096±$217Lowest
26% below NH
$1,547±$138
4% above NH
$1,661±$206Highest
11% above NH
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,522
13% above NH
$5,946Lowest
11% below NH
$8,103Highest
22% above NH
$6,554
about the NH average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.6%±15.8
NH: 48.2%
25.9%±64.8Lowest
NH: 48.2%
51.6%±9Highest
NH: 48.2%
41.7%±16.4
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%
NH: 7.2%
3.4%
NH: 7.2%
4%Highest
NH: 7.2%
3.3%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
64.9%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
90.7%Highest
NH: 72.8%
70.2%
NH: 72.8%
80.6%
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Lowest
3 yrs newer than NH
1985
6 yrs newer than NH
1983
4 yrs newer than NH
1988Highest
9 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the NH average
34 minHighest
29% above NH
31 min
16% above NH
27 minLowest
about the NH average
Work from home
15.6%±3.3
NH: 16.8%
16.7%±11.6Highest
NH: 16.8%
16%±2.8
NH: 16.8%
13.4%±3.1Lowest
NH: 16.8%
Springfield and Derry 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 — #60 of 120 in NH #30 of 120 in NH
School district Milford School District — Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District Hooksett School District
High school in town Milford High School — Pinkerton Academy None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7Lowest
—
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.