Compare towns
Salem vs Hampton vs Hudson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Salem has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.6%).
Hampton has the most expensive homes ($545k median).
Hudson has the highest household income ($124k).
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 | Salem | Hampton | Hudson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 30,964Highest |
10,101Lowest |
25,557 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-0.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+3.8% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 44.6±2.7Lowest 3% above NH |
51.2±1.7Highest 18% above NH |
45.7±1.9 6% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 16.2%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
14.6%±3.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
16.8%±2.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Hudson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.6%±1.7Lowest NH: 20.1% |
26.9%±3.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
20.7%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.7% NH: 40.6% |
44.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
34.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±1 NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.7Lowest NH: 6% |
7%±1.7Highest NH: 6% |
| Hudson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $110,490±$9k 12% above NH |
$97,163±$4kLowest about the NH average |
$124,213±$6kHighest 25% above NH |
| Hudson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $473,300±$16k 18% above NH |
$545,300±$63kHighest 35% above NH |
$438,900±$11kLowest 9% above NH |
| Hampton and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,625±$146Lowest 9% above NH |
$1,654±$93 11% above NH |
$1,735±$123Highest 16% above NH |
| Hudson and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,992Highest 5% above NH |
$6,872 3% above NH |
$6,636Lowest about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.5%±9.6 NH: 48.2% |
48.9%±13.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
34.3%±7.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4.6% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.6% NH: 72.8% |
74.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
82.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1979 same as NH |
1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 9% above NH |
26 minLowest 3% below NH |
31 minHighest 18% above NH |
| Work from home | 16.3%±2.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
20.5%±3.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
19.6%±3.6 NH: 16.8% |
| Hampton and Hudson 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 | #38 of 120 in NH | #31 of 120 in NH | #63 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Salem School District | — | Hudson School District |
| High school in town | Salem High School | — | Alvirne High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.2Lowest |
— | 11.6Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.