Compare towns
South Hooksett vs Jay vs Auburn
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
South Hooksett has the youngest population (median age 35.2).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($234k median).
Auburn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+20%).
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 Hooksett | Jay | Auburn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,902 |
471Lowest |
6,119Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+20%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.2±3.6Lowest 10% below U.S. |
52.1±10.5Highest 34% above U.S. |
44.3±5.9 14% above U.S. |
| Jay and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.3%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.3%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Auburn and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 13.5%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
15.5%±6.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
13.4%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jay and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
45.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
55.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 14.3%±0.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.2%±4.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $130,000±$15k 61% above U.S. |
$74,792±$25kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$153,253±$6kHighest 90% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $433,200±$40k 30% above U.S. |
$234,200±$45kLowest 30% below U.S. |
$600,300±$29kHighest 80% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,471±$217Lowest 4% above U.S. |
— | $1,893±$822Highest 34% above U.S. |
| Auburn and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,801 118% above U.S. |
$3,588Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$8,092Highest 159% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 36.1%±25 U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
27.6%±27Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Jay and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
93.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1984Lowest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
40 minHighest 50% above U.S. |
28 min 6% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 7.1%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
27.3%±13.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
26.5%±6.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jay and Auburn 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 | — | — | #44 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Auburn School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.