Compare towns

Reading vs Windham vs Peacham

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Reading has the oldest population (median age 51.1).
Windham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.4%).
Peacham has the most affordable homes ($302k 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.

MeasureReadingWindhamPeacham
People
Population
699Lowest
16,038Highest
887
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+16.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.1±7.6Highest
31% above U.S.
41.1±2.9Lowest
6% above U.S.
50.1±5.7
29% above U.S.
Reading and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.5%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
27.4%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
20.7%±6
U.S.: 22%
Windham and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
15.5%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
33.6%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
62.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.8%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Peacham and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,000±$19kLowest
5% above U.S.
$189,583±$19kHighest
135% above U.S.
$90,000±$28k
11% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$377,200±$72k
13% above U.S.
$723,300±$50kHighest
117% above U.S.
$302,000±$64kLowest
9% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,100±$331
22% below U.S.
$3,218±$350Highest
128% above U.S.
$1,028±$248Lowest
27% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,754
84% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$5,605Lowest
80% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±31.7
U.S.: 51.1%
52.2%±50.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
66.7%±17.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
10.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
93.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
76.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969Lowest
11 yrs older than U.S.
1996Highest
16 yrs newer than U.S.
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
31 minLowest
17% above U.S.
31 minLowest
17% above U.S.
Work from home
22.9%±10.6
U.S.: 15.1%
21.9%±4.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
24.2%±16.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Peacham and Reading 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 — #13 of 120 in NH —
School district Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Windham School District Peacham School District
High school in town None in town Windham High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.8
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.