Compare towns
South Hampton vs Rye vs Stratham
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%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Stratham has the youngest population (median age 41.6).
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 | Rye | Stratham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 984Lowest |
5,611 |
7,754Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
55.1±3Highest 27% above NH |
41.6±4.9Lowest 4% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 23.3%±5.8 NH: 18.2% |
18.2%±4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.5%±5.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Stratham 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% |
31.7%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
20.6%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.5% NH: 40.6% |
69.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
3.9%±1.7Highest NH: 6% |
| Stratham and South Hampton 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 |
$140,655±$39kLowest 42% above NH |
$151,998±$20k 53% above NH |
| South Hampton and Stratham 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 |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 155% above NH |
$655,400±$36kLowest 63% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,889±$489 27% above NH |
$1,781±$156Lowest 19% above NH |
$2,511±$377Highest 68% above NH |
| Stratham 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 |
$7,519Lowest 13% above NH |
$9,781Highest 47% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30%±40.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.3%±16.1 NH: 48.2% |
64%±38.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Stratham and Rye 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% |
6.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% NH: 72.8% |
85.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
29 minHighest 8% above NH |
27 minLowest about the NH average |
| Work from home | 17%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
30.9%±7.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
25.3%±6.6 NH: 16.8% |
| Rye and Stratham 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 | — | #2 of 120 in NH | #43 of 120 in NH |
| School district | South Hampton School District | Rye School District | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.