Compare towns
South Hampton vs Nelson vs Hampton Falls vs Kensington
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%).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
Hampton Falls has the most expensive homes ($773k median).
Kensington has the most homeowners (92.9%).
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 | Nelson | Hampton Falls | Kensington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 984 |
648Lowest |
2,328Highest |
2,009 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+7.5% NH: +4.6% |
-1.4% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
49.5±7.3Highest 14% above NH |
43.3±5.9 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% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6Lowest 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% |
24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6Highest NH: 20.1% |
18.8%±2.9 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% NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
48.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1Highest NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3 NH: 6% |
| Hampton Falls and Kensington 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 |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
$165,083±$18k 67% above NH |
| Hampton Falls and Kensington 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 |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
$657,700±$47k 63% 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 |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,852±$475 24% above NH |
$1,813±$627 22% 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 | $9,109 37% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$9,637 45% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7 NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Nelson and South Hampton 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% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.9% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% NH: 72.8% |
90.2% NH: 72.8% |
86.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
29 min 7% above NH |
| Work from home | 17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | South Hampton School District | Nelson School District | Hampton Falls School District | Kensington 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 | 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.