Compare towns
South Hampton vs Lyme vs Lee vs Hampton Falls
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%).
Lyme has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Lee has the most affordable homes ($481k median).
Hampton Falls has the most expensive homes ($773k 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 | Lyme | Lee | Hampton Falls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 984Lowest |
1,710 |
4,576Highest |
2,328 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+1.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4.4% NH: +4.6% |
+7.5% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
48.6±7.8 12% above NH |
42.9±1.9Lowest about the NH average |
49.5±7.3Highest 14% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and Lyme 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% |
19.5%±3.4 NH: 18.2% |
21.9%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| South Hampton and Lee 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% |
26.5%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
22.6%±6.8 NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Lyme and Hampton Falls 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% |
70.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
50.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
3.3%±1.9 NH: 6% |
5.4%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1 NH: 6% |
| Lee and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $152,500±$44k 54% above NH |
$133,906±$15k 35% above NH |
$131,579±$54kLowest 33% above NH |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and South Hampton 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 |
$645,000±$64k 60% above NH |
$480,600±$61kLowest 19% above NH |
$772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and South Hampton 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 |
$1,418±$130Lowest 5% below NH |
— | $1,852±$475 24% above NH |
| South Hampton and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,109Lowest 37% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$9,661 45% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
52.8%±29.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
38.3%±53.3 NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Lyme and Lee 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% |
4.4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% NH: 72.8% |
80.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
95.8%Highest NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH |
1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
21 minLowest 22% below NH |
28 min about the NH average |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
| Work from home | 17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
27.2%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
27.6%±8.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
| Lee and Lyme 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 | — | — | #3 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | South Hampton School District | Lyme School District | Oyster River Coop School District | Hampton Falls 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 | 10 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.