Compare towns
South Hampton vs Hampton Falls vs Hanover vs Nelson
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%).
Hampton Falls has the oldest population (median age 49.5).
Hanover has the youngest population (median age 28.7).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
Hanover is a college town. 36.9% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Hampton Falls | Hanover | Nelson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 984 |
2,328 |
11,685Highest |
648Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+7.5% NH: +4.6% |
+5.4% NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
49.5±7.3Highest 14% above NH |
28.7±5.1Lowest 34% below NH |
42.3±11.7 about the NH average |
| Hampton Falls and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.3%±5.8 NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
14.4%±2.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.7%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
| Hampton Falls and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
88.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
61.1% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1 NH: 6% |
36.9%±2.4Highest NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $152,500±$44k 54% above NH |
$166,157±$14k 68% above NH |
$169,583±$36kHighest 71% above NH |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $661,100±$45k 64% above NH |
$772,600±$76k 92% above NH |
$824,900±$61kHighest 105% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,889±$489 27% above NH |
$1,852±$475 24% above NH |
$2,253±$217Highest 51% above NH |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
| Hanover and South Hampton 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.4%±17.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
| Hanover and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3% NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
5.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
73.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
20 minLowest 27% below NH |
24 min 9% below NH |
| Work from home | 17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
26.4%±5 NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Hanover 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 | — | — | #1 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | South Hampton School District | Hampton Falls School District | Dresden School District · Hanover School District | Nelson School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Hanover High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.7 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.