Compare towns

Rochester vs Mapleton vs Derry

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Rochester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Derry has the most expensive homes ($432k 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.

MeasureRochesterMapletonDerry
People
Population
33,144
1,884Lowest
34,116Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
43±1.8Highest
11% above U.S.
41.8±6
7% above U.S.
40.3±1.6Lowest
4% above U.S.
Rochester and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.2%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
20.7%±2.1
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.6%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1
U.S.: 17.2%
15.2%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Rochester and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
27.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
37.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.3%±1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
6.1%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Derry and Mapleton 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
about the U.S. average
$91,731±$25k
14% above U.S.
$108,944±$7kHighest
35% above U.S.
Derry and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$279,100±$10k
16% below U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
$432,000±$17kHighest
30% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,369±$72
3% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
$1,547±$138Highest
9% above U.S.
Derry and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,334
71% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$8,103Highest
160% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.3%±7
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
51.6%±9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Derry and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
66%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
70.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1983Highest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
28 min
5% above U.S.
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
Work from home
11.8%±2.1
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Derry and Rochester 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 — #60 of 120 in NH
School district Rochester School District RSU 79/MSAD 01 Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District
High school in town Spaulding High School None in town Pinkerton Academy
Students per teacherat that high school
13.2Lowest
—
13.9Highest
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.