Compare towns

North Hampton vs Rye vs South Eliot

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

North Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
South Eliot has the most affordable homes ($476k 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.

MeasureNorth HamptonRyeSouth Eliot
People
Population
4,543
5,611Highest
4,203Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.5±3.3Lowest
30% above U.S.
55.1±3
42% above U.S.
55.5±8Highest
43% above U.S.
South Eliot 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
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4
U.S.: 22%
15.2%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
North Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26%±4.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
31.7%±5.3
U.S.: 17.2%
32.8%±6.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
South Eliot and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
61.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
49.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
1.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
North Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$146,458±$29kHighest
81% above U.S.
$140,655±$39k
74% above U.S.
$99,299±$9kLowest
23% above U.S.
North Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$670,400±$61k
102% above U.S.
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
$475,600±$52kLowest
43% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,805±$106
28% above U.S.
$1,781±$156Lowest
26% above U.S.
$2,155±$292Highest
53% above U.S.
South Eliot 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
173% above U.S.
$7,519
141% above U.S.
$4,442Lowest
42% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
23.5%±21Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.3%±16.1
U.S.: 51.1%
64.3%±29.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
South Eliot 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
U.S.: 12.5%
6.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
7% below U.S.
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
21 minLowest
22% below U.S.
Work from home
25.9%±6.9
U.S.: 15.1%
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.2%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
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 #2 of 120 in NH —
School district North Hampton School District Rye School District —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.