Compare towns
Webster vs Benson vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Webster has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.2%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Andover has the most expensive homes ($367k 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 | Webster | Benson | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,227Highest |
784Lowest |
2,135 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.7±7.6Lowest 15% above U.S. |
51.9±9.4Highest 33% above U.S. |
46±11.6 18% above U.S. |
| Benson and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 22.6%±8Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.5%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
13.3%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Webster and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.4%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.9%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
28.1%±7.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Andover and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
32.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
29.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Benson and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $107,171±$14kHighest 33% above U.S. |
$78,625±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
$88,514±$27k 10% above U.S. |
| Webster and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $338,500±$30k about the U.S. average |
$242,000±$26kLowest 27% below U.S. |
$366,500±$44kHighest 10% above U.S. |
| Andover and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,396±$622Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,113±$170Lowest 21% below U.S. |
$1,211±$190 14% below U.S. |
| Webster and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,021Highest 93% above U.S. |
$4,125Lowest 32% above U.S. |
$5,962 91% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.6%±71Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
53.4%±35.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
45.1%±8.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Webster and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 1 yr older than U.S. |
1975Lowest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minLowest 16% above U.S. |
32 min 20% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 17.1%±3.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.6%±5.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.7%±5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Benson and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Merrimack Valley School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Andover School District |
| High school in town | None 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.