Best places to live in New Hampshire
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New Hampshire using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#5. Amherst, New Hampshire
- Overall Rank: 2,022
- Population: 11,766
- Median household income: $151,375
- Median home value: $482,600 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,361 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Academy for Science & Design High School (grade A+), Academy for Science & Design Middle School (grade A+), Ross A. Lurgio Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: High Mowing School (grade A minus), Bishop Guertin High School (grade A minus), Mount Zion Christian Schools (grade B+)
#4. Bedford, New Hampshire
- Overall Rank: 1,920
- Population: 23,385
- Median household income: $151,850
- Median home value: $539,500 (84% own)
- Median rent: $2,045 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Academy for Science & Design High School (grade A+), Academy for Science & Design Middle School (grade A+), Peter Woodbury School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Derryfield School (grade A), Tabernacle Christian School (grade A minus), Bishop Guertin High School (grade A minus)
#3. Brookline, New Hampshire
- Overall Rank: 2,283
- Population: 5,659
- Median household income: $163,628
- Median home value: $431,000 (95% own)
- Median rent: $2,368 (5% rent)
- Top public schools: Academy for Science & Design High School (grade A+), Academy for Science & Design Middle School (grade A+), Hollis-Brookline Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lawrence Academy (grade A+), High Mowing School (grade A minus), South Merrimack Christian Academy (grade B+)
#2. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Overall Rank: 2,178
- Population: 22,138
- Median household income: $100,169
- Median home value: $594,000 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,660 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: New Franklin School (grade A), Little Harbour School (grade A), Portsmouth Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Phillips Exeter Academy (grade A+), Berwick Academy (grade A+), Portsmouth Christian Academy (grade A)
#1. Hanover, New Hampshire
- Overall Rank: 461
- Population: 11,205
- Median household income: $154,023
- Median home value: $691,300 (68% own)
- Median rent: $2,015 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Hanover High School (grade A+), Bernice A. Ray School (grade A+), Frances C. Richmond School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Kimball Union Academy (grade A+), Mid Vermont Christian School (grade A minus), Thetford Academy (grade B)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
