Compare towns
Northfield vs Hooksett vs Winchester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Northfield has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+27.4%).
Winchester has the most affordable homes ($243k 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 | Northfield | Hooksett | Winchester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,971 |
5,876Highest |
4,212Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% NH: +4.6% |
+27.4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-4.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.1 about the NH average |
42.6±2 about the NH average |
42.6±4.5 about the NH average |
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±4.9Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.7%±3.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.9%±4.7 NH: 18.2% |
| Northfield and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.2%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
20.7%±3.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.9%±3.9 NH: 20.1% |
| Hooksett and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 23.7% NH: 40.6% |
41.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
20.3%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.5 NH: 6% |
6.2%±3.7Highest NH: 6% |
2.4%±1.8Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $92,917±$15k 6% below NH |
$101,053±$25kHighest about the NH average |
$67,723±$11kLowest 32% below NH |
| Hooksett and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,500±$33k 28% below NH |
$348,100±$32kHighest 14% below NH |
$242,900±$20kLowest 40% below NH |
| Hooksett and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,076±$182Lowest 28% below NH |
$1,811±$283Highest 21% above NH |
$1,209±$143 19% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,097 24% below NH |
$4,960Lowest 26% below NH |
$5,314Highest 20% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.1%±14.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
46%±20.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
45%±17.7 NH: 48.2% |
| Hooksett and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.1% NH: 7.2% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
14.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
72.5% NH: 72.8% |
72.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 4% below NH |
29 minHighest 9% above NH |
29 min 7% above NH |
| Work from home | 6.9%±3.6 NH: 16.8% |
14.4%±4.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
4.3%±2.4Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Hooksett and Northfield 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 | #109 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH | #120 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Winnisquam Regional School District | — | Winchester 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 |
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.