Compare towns

Rye vs Wells vs York

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Wells has grown the fastest since 2010 (+18%).
York has the most kids (21.1% under 18).

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.

MeasureRyeWellsYork
People
Population
5,611Lowest
11,713
13,986Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+18%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
55.1±3Highest
42% above U.S.
53.6±3.8
38% above U.S.
49.5±5.2Lowest
27% above U.S.
Rye and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.2%±4
U.S.: 22%
18%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.1%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
York and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
31.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
31%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
27.9%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Rye and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
61.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
43.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
53.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.5%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.5%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
Wells and York are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$140,655±$39kHighest
74% above U.S.
$88,024±$11kLowest
9% above U.S.
$121,250±$25k
50% above U.S.
Rye and York are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
$485,300±$23kLowest
46% above U.S.
$636,400±$30k
91% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,781±$156Highest
26% above U.S.
$1,350±$297Lowest
4% below U.S.
$1,490±$336
5% above U.S.
Rye and York are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,519Highest
141% above U.S.
$3,215Lowest
3% above U.S.
$4,658
49% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.3%±16.1
U.S.: 51.1%
42.1%±19.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
56.5%±10.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
York and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
81.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
28 min
4% above U.S.
24 minLowest
11% below U.S.
Work from home
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.8%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
26%±3.9
U.S.: 15.1%
Rye and York 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 #2 of 120 in NH #22 of 133 in ME #13 of 133 in ME
School district Rye School District Wells-Ogunquit CSD York Public Schools
High school in town None in town Wells High School York High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.4Highest
9.6Lowest
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.