Compare towns
Nelson vs Ogunquit vs Rye vs South Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
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 | Ogunquit | Rye | South Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 648Lowest |
1,379 |
5,611Highest |
984 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -13.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+76.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.3±11.7Lowest 9% above U.S. |
62.8±4.8Highest 61% above U.S. |
55.1±3 42% above U.S. |
45.1±5.3 16% above U.S. |
| Ogunquit and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±6.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
5.7%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±4 U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±5.8 U.S.: 22% |
| 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
43.6%±10.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
31.7%±5.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Ogunquit and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 61.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
63.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
61.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
52.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±2.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Ogunquit and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $99,792±$23kLowest 24% above U.S. |
$114,259±$56k 42% above U.S. |
$140,655±$39k 74% above U.S. |
$152,500±$44kHighest 89% above U.S. |
| South Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $340,900±$49kLowest about the U.S. average |
$875,700±$79k 163% above U.S. |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 209% above U.S. |
$661,100±$45k 99% above U.S. |
| Rye and Ogunquit are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,203±$243Lowest 15% below U.S. |
— | $1,781±$156 26% above U.S. |
$1,889±$489Highest 34% above U.S. |
| South Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,575 79% above U.S. |
$4,473Lowest 43% above U.S. |
$7,519 141% above U.S. |
$9,109Highest 192% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±68.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±61.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.3%±16.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
30%±40.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Rye 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
3.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1978Highest 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 8% below U.S. |
26 min about the U.S. average |
29 minHighest 9% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 31.5%±8 U.S.: 15.1% |
43.3%±12.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
30.9%±7.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
17%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ogunquit and Nelson 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 | — | — | #2 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Nelson School District | — | Rye School District | South Hampton School District |
| 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 | 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.