Compare towns

South Berwick vs Rye vs South Berwick

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

South Berwick has the most kids (26.7% under 18).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
South Berwick has the most renters (33% rent).

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.

MeasureSouth BerwickRyeSouth Berwick
People
Population
7,670Highest
5,611
3,381Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
39±2.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
55.1±3Highest
42% above U.S.
41.4±6.2
6% above U.S.
Kids under 18
26.7%±6Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.7%±5.4
U.S.: 22%
South Berwick and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.8%±3
U.S.: 17.2%
31.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.6%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
61.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
47.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4%±2.7
U.S.: 6.4%
South Berwick and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$99,572±$13k
23% above U.S.
$140,655±$39kHighest
74% above U.S.
$90,972±$22kLowest
13% above U.S.
Rye and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$428,300±$26k
29% above U.S.
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
$396,700±$66kLowest
19% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,726±$83
22% above U.S.
$1,781±$156Highest
26% above U.S.
$1,702±$76Lowest
20% above U.S.
Rye and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,956
59% above U.S.
$7,519Highest
141% above U.S.
$4,523Lowest
45% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.5%±24.5
U.S.: 51.1%
44.3%±16.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
55.7%±30.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
South Berwick and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
85.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
67%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
29 min
9% above U.S.
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
Work from home
17.6%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.9%±9.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Rye and South Berwick 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 #58 of 133 in ME #2 of 120 in NH #58 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 35/MSAD 35 Rye School District —
High school in town Marshwood High School None in town —
Students per teacherat that high school
13.0
— —
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.