Compare towns
South Hampton vs Franconia vs East Kingston vs Newton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
South Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
Franconia has the shortest commute (20 min average).
East Kingston has the most people working from home (24.1%).
Newton has the most affordable homes ($460k 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.
| Measure | South Hampton | Franconia | East Kingston | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 984Lowest |
1,060 |
2,311 |
4,836Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+3.6% NH: +4.6% |
+4.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.1±5.3Lowest 4% above NH |
55.6±7Highest 28% above NH |
51.7±8.9 19% above NH |
47.8±5.7 10% above NH |
| Franconia and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.3%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
15.2%±5.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
16.1%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
| South Hampton and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16.5%±1.4 NH: 20.1% |
36.6%±6.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
27.1%±5.9 NH: 20.1% |
16%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Franconia and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.4% NH: 40.6% |
57.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
46.7% NH: 40.6% |
37.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
5%±5.4Highest NH: 6% |
4.8%±1.7 NH: 6% |
4.7%±2.5 NH: 6% |
| Franconia and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $152,500±$44kHighest 54% above NH |
$87,292±$28kLowest 12% below NH |
$138,194±$38k 40% above NH |
$138,487±$29k 40% above NH |
| South Hampton and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $661,100±$45kHighest 64% above NH |
$530,300±$96k 32% above NH |
$575,500±$56k 43% above NH |
$459,500±$18kLowest 14% above NH |
| South Hampton and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
$1,281±$278Lowest 14% below NH |
— | $1,683±$96 13% above NH |
| South Hampton and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,109 37% above NH |
$7,451Lowest 12% above NH |
$9,604Highest 44% above NH |
$8,124 22% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
73.2%±74.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
0%±100Lowest NH: 48.2% |
62%±41.8 NH: 48.2% |
| Franconia and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
11.4% NH: 7.2% |
14.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
7.5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% NH: 72.8% |
83.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
96.4%Highest NH: 72.8% |
90.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1994Highest 15 yrs newer than NH |
1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
20 minLowest 25% below NH |
32 minHighest 19% above NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 17%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
11.9%±5.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
24.1%±5.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±5.2 NH: 16.8% |
| East Kingston and Newton 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 | — | — | — | #70 of 120 in NH |
| School district | South Hampton School District | Lafayette Regional School District | East Kingston School District | Sanborn Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | 9 photos → | 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.