Compare towns
Rochester vs Atkinson vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rochester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Atkinson has the highest household income ($146k).
Salem has the oldest housing (typical home built 1977).
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 | Rochester | Atkinson | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 33,144Highest |
7,267Lowest |
30,964 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5% NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 43±1.8Lowest about the NH average |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
44.6±2.7 3% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 18.2%±1.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
16.2%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
| Rochester and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.6%±1.9 NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
18.6%±1.7Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 27.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
42.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
38.7% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±1Lowest NH: 6% |
5.8%±4Highest NH: 6% |
4.3%±1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Atkinson and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,836±$3kLowest 18% below NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$110,490±$9k 12% above NH |
| Atkinson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $279,100±$10kLowest 31% below NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
$473,300±$16k 18% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,369±$72 8% below NH |
$1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
$1,625±$146Highest 9% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,334Lowest 20% below NH |
$6,918 4% above NH |
$6,992Highest 5% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.3%±7 NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±9.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 66%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
75.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1980Highest 1 yr newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest about the NH average |
28 min 6% above NH |
29 minHighest 9% above NH |
| Work from home | 11.8%±2.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.3%±2.9 NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Salem 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 | #98 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Rochester School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Salem School District |
| High school in town | Spaulding High School | None in town | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.2Highest |
— | 11.2Lowest |
| 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.