Compare towns
North Hampton vs Hampton vs Kensington vs Rye
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($550k median).
Kensington has the youngest population (median age 43.3).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k 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 | Kensington | Rye |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,543 |
16,426Highest |
2,009Lowest |
5,611 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5.1% NH: +4.6% |
-1.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3 17% above NH |
55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
43.3±5.9Lowest about the NH average |
55.1±3 27% above NH |
| Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±5.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4 NH: 18.2% |
| North Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
30.9%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
18.8%±2.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Rye and Hampton 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% |
42.8%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
48.5% NH: 40.6% |
61.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
3.1%±1.1 NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Highest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
| Kensington and 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 |
$95,233±$9kLowest 4% below NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$140,655±$39k 42% above NH |
| Kensington 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 |
$550,200±$39kLowest 37% above NH |
$657,700±$47k 63% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,805±$106 21% above NH |
$1,628±$94Lowest 9% above NH |
$1,813±$627Highest 22% above NH |
$1,781±$156 19% above NH |
| Kensington 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 |
$6,813Lowest about the NH average |
$9,637Highest 45% above NH |
$7,519 13% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
56.8%±10.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5 NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton and Rye 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% |
5.6% NH: 7.2% |
1.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3% NH: 72.8% |
73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
85.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1978 1 yr older than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 8% below NH |
26 min 3% below NH |
29 min 7% above NH |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Rye 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 | #31 of 120 in NH | — | #2 of 120 in NH |
| School district | North Hampton School District | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Kensington School District | Rye School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Winnacunnet High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.1 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.