Compare towns

Montgomery vs Lancaster vs Dover

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lancaster has the most kids (20.9% under 18).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).

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.

MeasureMontgomeryLancasterDover
People
Population
1,047Lowest
3,216Highest
1,466
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-8.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+60%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.5±11.3
32% above U.S.
45.5±6.9Lowest
17% above U.S.
53.5±8.3Highest
38% above U.S.
Dover and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.5%±4.4
U.S.: 22%
20.9%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
10.2%±5.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Lancaster and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.9%±8.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
28.4%±5.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
29.5%±6.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Montgomery and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
30.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±3.2
U.S.: 6.4%
2.9%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.5%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Lancaster and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$53,289±$24k
34% below U.S.
$68,911±$23kHighest
15% below U.S.
$52,313±$7kLowest
35% below U.S.
Lancaster and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$323,200±$45k
about the U.S. average
$215,700±$24kLowest
35% below U.S.
$332,900±$55kHighest
about the U.S. average
Dover and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$868±$209
39% below U.S.
$1,019±$263Highest
28% below U.S.
$670±$49Lowest
53% below U.S.
Lancaster and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,326
39% above U.S.
$4,226Lowest
35% above U.S.
$4,510Highest
45% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
76.6%±68Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
36.1%±17Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
38.1%±17.2
U.S.: 51.1%
Montgomery and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
15.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
16.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
75.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
81.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
same as U.S.
1942Lowest
38 yrs older than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
41% above U.S.
23 min
13% below U.S.
22 minLowest
17% below U.S.
Work from home
16%±5.9
U.S.: 15.1%
11.5%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.2%±11.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Dover and Montgomery 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 — #107 of 120 in NH —
School district Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 White Mountains Regional School District River Valleys Unified School District #73
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.