Compare towns
North Hampton vs Hampton Falls vs Nelson
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).
Hampton Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
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 | Hampton Falls | Nelson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,543Highest |
2,328 |
648Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% NH: +4.6% |
+7.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3Highest 17% above NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
| North Hampton and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and North Hampton 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%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| North Hampton and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1Highest NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hampton Falls and North Hampton 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 |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
| Hampton Falls 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±$61k 67% above NH |
$772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
| Hampton Falls and North Hampton 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 |
$1,852±$475Highest 24% above NH |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
| Hampton Falls and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,529 28% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7 NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Nelson and Hampton Falls 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% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
86.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.2% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 8% below NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson 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 | — | — |
| School district | North Hampton School District | Hampton Falls School District | Nelson 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.