Compare towns

Wilder vs Bedford vs White River Junction

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Bedford has the most expensive homes ($612k median).
White River Junction has the most renters (56.1% 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.

MeasureWilderBedfordWhite River Junction
People
Population
3,087Lowest
23,746Highest
3,364
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+81.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+10%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.5±8.9Highest
17% above U.S.
45±2.2
16% above U.S.
33.7±3.2Lowest
13% below U.S.
Wilder and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.8%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.7%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±5
U.S.: 22%
Bedford and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.3%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.5%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
12.5%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
60.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
63%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
38.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
8.1%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.7%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Wilder and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$75,143±$9kLowest
7% below U.S.
$167,418±$12kHighest
107% above U.S.
$77,168±$4k
4% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$273,200±$18kLowest
18% below U.S.
$612,100±$26kHighest
84% above U.S.
$278,800±$78k
16% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,142±$451Lowest
19% below U.S.
$2,099±$274Highest
49% above U.S.
$1,222±$216
14% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,505Lowest
76% above U.S.
$9,803Highest
214% above U.S.
$5,651
81% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
39.9%±17.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
59.4%±15.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.9%±17.3
U.S.: 51.1%
Bedford and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
2.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
82.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
43.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1990Highest
10 yrs newer than U.S.
1963Lowest
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
17 min
37% below U.S.
25 minHighest
4% below U.S.
15 minLowest
42% below U.S.
Work from home
12.6%±6.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
27%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.7%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #7 of 120 in NH —
School district — Bedford School District —
High school in town — Bedford High School —
Students per teacherat that high school —
13.5
—
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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.