Compare towns
North Hampton vs Seabrook Beach vs Rye vs Stratham
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 shortest commute (25 min average).
Seabrook Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.7%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Stratham has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
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 | Seabrook Beach | Rye | Stratham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,543 |
1,001Lowest |
5,611 |
7,754Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% NH: +4.6% |
+8.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3 17% above NH |
62±3.8Highest 43% above NH |
55.1±3 27% above NH |
41.6±4.9Lowest 4% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
5.2%±3.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4 NH: 18.2% |
23.5%±5.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Stratham and North Hampton 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% |
42.1%±7.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
31.7%±5.3 NH: 20.1% |
20.6%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Seabrook Beach 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% NH: 40.6% |
39.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5% NH: 40.6% |
69.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
2.2%±3.2Lowest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
3.9%±1.7Highest NH: 6% |
| Stratham 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 |
$93,571±$43kLowest 6% below NH |
$140,655±$39k 42% above NH |
$151,998±$20kHighest 53% above NH |
| Stratham 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 |
$920,900±$75k 129% above NH |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
$655,400±$36kLowest 63% above NH |
| Rye and Seabrook Beach 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 |
$1,725±$575Lowest 16% above NH |
$1,781±$156 19% above NH |
$2,511±$377Highest 68% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,529 28% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$7,519Lowest 13% above NH |
$9,781 47% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
90.5%±100Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
64%±38.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Seabrook Beach and Stratham 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% |
7.8%Highest NH: 7.2% |
6.9% NH: 7.2% |
2.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3% NH: 72.8% |
74.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
85.5% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1966Lowest 13 yrs older than NH |
1972 7 yrs older than NH |
1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 8% below NH |
33 minHighest 22% above NH |
29 min 8% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
39.5%±20Highest NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6 NH: 16.8% |
25.3%±6.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Seabrook Beach and Rye 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 | #43 of 120 in NH |
| School district | North Hampton School District | — | Rye School District | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham 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 | 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.