Compare towns
Plainfield vs Kensington vs Keene
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4%).
Kensington has the most expensive homes ($658k median).
Keene has the most affordable homes ($253k 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 | Plainfield | Kensington | Keene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,522 |
2,009Lowest |
22,939Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.4% NH: +4.6% |
-1.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 38.9±6.5 10% below NH |
43.3±5.9Highest about the NH average |
37.6±2.3Lowest 13% below NH |
| Kensington and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±1.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.8%±4.5Highest NH: 20.1% |
18.8%±2.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.5%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
| Plainfield and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46.7% NH: 40.6% |
48.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
44.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.3 NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
13.8%±1.4Highest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $122,656±$13k 24% above NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$78,445±$8kLowest 21% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $442,400±$47k 10% above NH |
$657,700±$47kHighest 63% above NH |
$252,500±$12kLowest 37% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,674±$181 12% above NH |
$1,813±$627Highest 22% above NH |
$1,342±$68Lowest 10% below NH |
| Kensington and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,904 19% above NH |
$9,637Highest 45% above NH |
$6,812Lowest about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±6.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Keene and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.2% NH: 7.2% |
1.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
10.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.3% NH: 72.8% |
92.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
55.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1961Lowest 18 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 18% below NH |
29 minHighest 7% above NH |
17 minLowest 36% below NH |
| Work from home | 18.1%±8.5 NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
15.6%±2.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Kensington and Plainfield 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 | #19 of 120 in NH | — | #81 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Plainfield School District | Kensington School District | Keene School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Keene High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.3 |
| 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.