Compare towns
Webster vs Brookline vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Webster has the shortest commute (31 min average).
Brookline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13%).
Andover has the most renters (11.6% rent).
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 | Brookline | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,227 |
5,736Highest |
2,135Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.2% NH: +4.6% |
+13%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+1.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 44.7±7.6 3% above NH |
41.2±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
46±11.6Highest 6% above NH |
| Andover and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 22.6%±8 NH: 18.2% |
26.7%±4Highest NH: 18.2% |
13.3%±3.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Brookline and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.4%±1.3 NH: 20.1% |
11.4%±2.1Lowest NH: 20.1% |
28.1%±7.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Andover and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.7% NH: 40.6% |
57.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
29.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.4 NH: 6% |
6.3%±3.2Highest NH: 6% |
2.7%±2.2Lowest NH: 6% |
| Brookline 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±$14k 8% above NH |
$171,046±$4kHighest 73% above NH |
$88,514±$27kLowest 11% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $338,500±$30kLowest 16% below NH |
$544,400±$38kHighest 35% above NH |
$366,500±$44k 9% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,396±$622 6% below NH |
$2,500±$1kHighest 68% above NH |
$1,211±$190Lowest 19% below NH |
| Brookline and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,021 10% below NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$5,962Lowest 11% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.6%±71Highest NH: 48.2% |
23.8%±43.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
45.1%±8.3 NH: 48.2% |
| Webster and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% NH: 7.2% |
0.6%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
10.5%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96%Highest NH: 72.8% |
95.1% NH: 72.8% |
88.4%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1993Highest 14 yrs newer than NH |
1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minLowest 14% above NH |
33 min 25% above NH |
34 minHighest 28% above NH |
| Work from home | 17.1%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
24.7%±5.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.7%±5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Brookline and Webster 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 | — | #23 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Merrimack Valley School District | Brookline School District | Andover 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.