Compare towns
North Hampton vs Ashland vs Auburn
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
North Hampton has the oldest population (median age 50.5).
Ashland has the most affordable homes ($227k median).
Auburn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+20%).
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 | North Hampton | Ashland | Auburn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,543 |
2,183Lowest |
6,119Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% NH: +4.6% |
-6.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+20%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3Highest 17% above NH |
42.3±11.2Lowest about the NH average |
44.3±5.9 about the NH average |
| North Hampton and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±5.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
21.4%±6.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.3%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Ashland and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26%±4.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
25.8%±5.3 NH: 20.1% |
13.4%±3.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| North Hampton and Ashland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.5% NH: 40.6% |
35.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
55.3%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
2.7%±1.7 NH: 6% |
7.2%±4.7Highest NH: 6% |
| Auburn and Ashland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $146,458±$29k 48% above NH |
$54,607±$9kLowest 45% below NH |
$153,253±$6kHighest 55% above NH |
| Auburn and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $670,400±$61kHighest 67% above NH |
$227,000±$29kLowest 44% below NH |
$600,300±$29k 49% above NH |
| North Hampton and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,805±$106 21% above NH |
$1,096±$155Lowest 26% below NH |
$1,893±$822Highest 27% above NH |
| Auburn and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,529Highest 28% above NH |
$4,961Lowest 26% below NH |
$8,092 21% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
39.1%±14.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.6%±27 NH: 48.2% |
| Ashland and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9% NH: 7.2% |
21.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.5%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3% NH: 72.8% |
64.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
93.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 8% below NH |
26 min 4% below NH |
28 minHighest 4% above NH |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
9.9%±4.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
26.5%±6.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Auburn and North Hampton 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 | #12 of 120 in NH | — | #44 of 120 in NH |
| School district | North Hampton School District | Ashland School District | Auburn School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.