Compare towns
Sanbornton vs Nelson vs Plainfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sanbornton has the most expensive homes ($452k median).
Nelson has the most people working from home (31.5%).
Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4%).
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 | Sanbornton | Nelson | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,053Highest |
648Lowest |
2,522 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2% NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41.9±5.4 3% below NH |
42.3±11.7Highest about the NH average |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
| Nelson and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.1%±5.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.5%±4.4 NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±4.5Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Nelson and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
46.7% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±1.4 NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3Highest NH: 6% |
| Plainfield and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,750±$41k 15% above NH |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
$122,656±$13kHighest 24% above NH |
| Plainfield and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $452,300±$30kHighest 12% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$442,400±$47k 10% above NH |
| Sanbornton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,289±$198 14% below NH |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,674±$181Highest 12% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,731 14% below NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
$7,904Highest 19% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 29.3%±23.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
| Nelson and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.8% NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
87.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1977 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 16% above NH |
24 min 9% below NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
| Work from home | 15.8%±6.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5 NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Plainfield 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 | #42 of 120 in NH | — | #19 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Winnisquam Regional School District | Nelson School District | Plainfield School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.