Compare towns
Surry vs Chatham vs Alstead
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Surry has the highest household income ($110k).
Chatham has the most expensive homes ($363k median).
Alstead has the most affordable homes ($272k 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 | Surry | Chatham | Alstead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,052 |
430Lowest |
1,551Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12%Highest NH: +4.6% |
— | -3.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 44.7±5.1Lowest 3% above NH |
48.3±8.6 12% above NH |
56±3.3Highest 29% above NH |
| Alstead and Chatham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.8%±6.2 NH: 18.2% |
21.4%±7.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
12.3%±3.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Chatham and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 23.3%±7Lowest NH: 20.1% |
26.5%±10 NH: 20.1% |
27.8%±4.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Alstead and Chatham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31.7% NH: 40.6% |
38.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.3%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.6%±6.6Highest NH: 6% |
5.8%±3.8 NH: 6% |
3.4%±2.6Lowest NH: 6% |
| Surry and Chatham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $110,125±$25kHighest 11% above NH |
$66,042±$19k 33% below NH |
$64,526±$11kLowest 35% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $331,400±$23k 18% below NH |
$362,900±$42kHighest 10% below NH |
$271,600±$37kLowest 33% below NH |
| Chatham and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,955±$374 31% above NH |
— | — |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,384Highest 4% below NH |
$3,690Lowest 45% below NH |
$5,322 20% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.3%±74.3Lowest NH: 48.2% |
33.3%±100Lowest NH: 48.2% |
72.1%±22.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Alstead and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.1%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.1% NH: 7.2% |
8.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
82.8% NH: 72.8% |
76%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 2 yrs older than NH |
1979Highest same as NH |
1973Lowest 6 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 18% below NH |
36 minHighest 33% above NH |
32 min 19% above NH |
| Work from home | 16%±7.1Highest NH: 16.8% |
7.3%±5.4Lowest NH: 16.8% |
12.1%±5.6 NH: 16.8% |
| Surry and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | — | Fall Mountain Regional School District |
| High school 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.