Compare towns
North Hampton vs West Bath vs Rye
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%).
West Bath has the most affordable homes ($423k median).
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 | West Bath | Rye |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,543 |
1,863Lowest |
5,611Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3Lowest 30% above U.S. |
54.2±5.6 39% above U.S. |
55.1±3Highest 42% above U.S. |
| Rye and West Bath 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% |
14.7%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±4 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% |
29.4%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
31.7%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Rye and West Bath 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% |
50.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
61.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| West Bath 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±$29kHighest 81% above U.S. |
$103,333±$27kLowest 28% above U.S. |
$140,655±$39k 74% 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. |
$422,800±$102kLowest 27% above U.S. |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 209% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,805±$106Highest 28% above U.S. |
$1,112±$327Lowest 21% below U.S. |
$1,781±$156 26% above U.S. |
| North Hampton and Rye 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. |
$3,516Lowest 13% above U.S. |
$7,519 141% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.1%±26.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.3%±16.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Rye and West Bath 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% |
3.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 7% below U.S. |
21 minLowest 22% below U.S. |
29 minHighest 9% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
17.1%±6.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
30.9%±7.6Highest 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 | West Bath Public Schools | Rye 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 |
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.