Compare towns
North Hampton vs Hanover vs Hampton Falls 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 the most affordable homes ($670k median).
Hanover has the youngest population (median age 28.7).
Hampton Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Hanover is a college town. 36.9% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Hanover | Hampton Falls | Rye |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,543 |
11,685Highest |
2,328Lowest |
5,611 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% NH: +4.6% |
+5.4% NH: +4.6% |
+7.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3 17% above NH |
28.7±5.1Lowest 34% below NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
| Rye and North Hampton 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% |
14.4%±2.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4 NH: 18.2% |
| North Hampton and Hampton Falls 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% |
19.7%±2.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Rye and North 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%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
88.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
36.9%±2.4Highest NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1 NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $146,458±$29k 48% above NH |
$169,583±$36kHighest 71% above NH |
$166,157±$14k 68% above NH |
$140,655±$39kLowest 42% above NH |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $670,400±$61kLowest 67% above NH |
$824,900±$61k 105% above NH |
$772,600±$76k 92% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,805±$106 21% above NH |
$2,253±$217Highest 51% above NH |
$1,852±$475 24% above NH |
$1,781±$156Lowest 19% above NH |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$7,519Lowest 13% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.4%±17.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7 NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
| Hanover and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.6% NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
73.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
85.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 8% below NH |
20 minLowest 27% below NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
29 min 8% above NH |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
26.4%±5 NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Hanover 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 | #1 of 120 in NH | — | #2 of 120 in NH |
| School district | North Hampton School District | Dresden School District · Hanover School District | Hampton Falls School District | Rye School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Hanover High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.7 |
— | — |
| 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.