Compare towns
Nelson vs Hampton Beach vs South Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
South Hampton has the highest household income ($153k).
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 | Nelson | Hampton Beach | South Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 648Lowest |
2,605Highest |
984 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+14.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+9.8% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
60.4±2.4Highest 39% above NH |
45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
3.1%±2.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.3%±5.8 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
33.7%±4.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
34%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
52.4% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±2.1 NH: 6% |
0.6%±0.7Lowest NH: 6% |
2.7%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
| South Hampton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $99,792±$23k about the NH average |
$82,557±$17kLowest 17% below NH |
$152,500±$44kHighest 54% above NH |
| South Hampton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$508,900±$76k 26% above NH |
$661,100±$45kHighest 64% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,375±$130 8% below NH |
$1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
| South Hampton and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
$6,115 8% below NH |
$9,109Highest 37% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
61.7%±20.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
30%±40.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton Beach and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
62.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
88.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 4 yrs older than NH |
1971Lowest 8 yrs older than NH |
1976Highest 3 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 9% below NH |
25 min 5% below NH |
28 minHighest 6% above NH |
| Work from home | 31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
26.9%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Nelson School District | — | South Hampton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.