C-

Gorham, NH

Source:

Affordability Score: 54/100

Population: 3,230 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Gorham, NH aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 3,230 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C- (54/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $64,127, median home value of $196,400, median rent of $855 per month, and 23.2% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,287 per month (studio $988, 1BR $994, 3BR $1,702, 4BR $1,708). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $13,992 per year, consuming 22% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are education, childcare. Unemployment currently reads 1.1% and poverty 5.2% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C-
$64,127
Median household income
Education F
23.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing B-
3.1x
Home value $196,400 vs income
Commute C+
23 min
Average commute time
Rent B-
$1,287/mo
2BR fair market rent (24% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare F
$13,992/yr
Center-based infant care (22% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$64,127
▲ 3% vs national
Per Capita Income
$39,904
Unemployment Rate
1.1%
Poverty Rate
5.2%

Housing

Median Home Value
$196,400
▼ 29% vs national
Median Rent
$855/mo
Owner Occupied
73.7%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,287/mo
▲ 7% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$988
1BR
$994
2BR
$1,287
3BR
$1,702
4BR
$1,708

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
23.2%
▼ 7 ppt vs national
High School+
61.3%
Median Age
53.5
Avg. Commute
23 min
▼ 3 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$13,992/yr
22% of income
Toddler (Center)
$13,255/yr
Preschool (Center)
$11,629/yr
School-Age (Center)
$10,434/yr

What This Means

Gorham, NH receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 3,230. Challenges include education and childcare. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Gorham ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Gorham, NH affordable?
Gorham, NH receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $64,127. Median home value is $196,400.
What is the cost of living in Gorham?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $855/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,287/mo. Infant childcare $13,992/yr. Median home value $196,400.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →