Americans love NH! And why wouldn’t you? New Hampshire is ranked as the 4th best state to live in 2024. The rankings are based on affordability, lifestyle, and overall economic structure. Also, the average annual healthcare cost in the state is $3,380, cheaper than the national average.
Apart from affordable living, the Granite State offers excellent job opportunities. The state has an unemployment rate of 2.5%, which is lower than the U.S. average.
Moreover, NH has a workforce participation of 63%, one of the best in the country. Let’s explore the best places to live in NH.
3 Reasons to Live in New Hampshire🌄
- Flourishing Job Market: By 2030, the job market in New Hampshire will rise by 11%. Retail Trade, finance, and healthcare are the growing sectors.
- Safety: New Hampshire is ranked as the safest state in the country. The crime rate in the state is 21/1000 people.
- Enormous Tax Benefits: There is no tax on sales or income in New Hampshire. This encourages more savings and lower living costs.
7 Best Places to Live in New Hampshire
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Berlin | 9,704 | $164,740 | $7,294 | 2.90% | 62/100 |
| 2. | Claremont | 13,039 | $225,800 | $8,292 | 2.5% | 55/100 |
| 3. | Keene | 23,106 | $298,413 | $8,223 | 2.50% | 49/100 |
| 4. | Concord | 44,006 | $381,200 | $8,700 | 1.90% | 55/100 |
| 5. | Conway | 10,266 | $395,071 | $8,303 | 2.70% | 52/100 |
| 6. | Laconia | 17,025 | $383,364 | $8,292 | 2.80% | 52/100 |
| 7. | Rochester | 32,869 | $347,174 | $9,080 | 2.3% | 49/100 |
1. Berlin
| Home Value | ⬆️ 8.2% |
| Median Income | $21,109 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,294 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.90% |
The median home price in Berlin is $164,740. The cost of living in the city is 10% lower than the national average. Moreover, the city has a great educational setup. It’s home to the prestigious Southern New Hampshire University and the Granite State College.
Berlin is home to big corporations like KPMG, Aerotek, PNC Financial Group, and UPS. The city’s unemployment rate is 2.90%, decreasing steadily.
» Homes for Sale in Berlin, NH: Find your dream home on Houzeo
2. Claremont
| Home Value | ⬆️ 10.0% |
| Median Income | $28,896 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,292 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% |
Claremont is a perfect option for those moving on a budget. The median home price in the city is $225,800, which is quite affordable. Moreover, Claremont’s living cost is 9% lower than the national average.
Claremont is ideal for job seekers, the job market in the city is projected to grow by 23.1% in the coming decade. The city is known for its top-rated education system. The Claremont School District is one the largest in New Hampshire.
» Homes for Sale in Claremont, NH: Find your dream home in this beautiful city.
3. Keene
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.1 % |
| Median Income | $26,469 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,223 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.50% |
The median home price in Keene is $298,413. The city’s cost of living is the lowest in New Hampshire. Also, Keene has a booming job market, with a monthly average salary of $4,343.
Keene is considered one of the safest places in the state. The city scores A- in the safety metrics. Furthermore, Keene has 7 school districts, with a decent minority enrollment rate of 20%.
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4. Concord
| Home Value | ⬆️ 9.9% |
| Median Income | $35,720 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,700 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.90% |
The median home price in Concord is $381,200. The cost of living in the city is just 5% higher than the state average. Moreover, Concord has a stable job market with an unemployment rate of 1.90%, which is less than the national average.
Concord’s job market grew by 4.6% in the last decade. Ernst and Young, Deloitte, HNTB, and American Express are the major employers. Also, the city scores A+ in the air quality metrics.
» Homes for Sale in Concord, NH: View the best luxurious properties in this city.
5. Conway
| Home Value | ⬆️ 5.6% |
| Median Income | $47,679 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,303 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.70% |
The median home price in Conway is $395,071. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,500. Also, the city is home to the prestigious Plymouth State University which is ideal for higher education.
The cost of housing in Conway is one of the lowest in NH. Moreover, the city’s job market is projected to grow by 26.9% in the next ten years.
The Granite Group, American Leather, Rentometer, and Valley Vision are some of the major employers.
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6. Laconia
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.5% |
| Median Income | $30,225 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,292 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.80% |
The median home price in Laconia is $383,364. The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the city is $1,900, which is quite affordable. Moreover, the cost of living is 3% lower than the national average.
Loconia has a booming job market, with a growth of 2.88% in the last few years. The city’s economy has flourished in sectors like health sciences, transportation, and retail marketing.
» Homes for Sale in Laconia, NH: View thousands of properties for sale in Laconia.
7. Rochester
| Home Value | ⬆️ 9.8% |
| Median Income | $32,497 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,080 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% |
The median home price in Rochester is $347,174. The cost of living in the city is 4% higher than the national average. Also, the school system in the city is ranked better than 25% of the U.S. schools.
Rochester is ideal for job seekers, with over 17,000 employees. The city is home to big tech giants like Safran, Lydall, Oasis, and Snappii Corporation.
» Homes for Sale in Rochester, NH: Find the best properties in Rochester.
Best Places to Live in New Hampshire for Young Adults
Here are the best cities in New Hampshire for young adults:
- Portsmouth: The average annual salary in Portsmouth is $59,238. The city’s civilian labor force stood at an excellent rate of 77% for December 2023.
- Lebanon: The average salary in the city is $65,711. Lebanon has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Bottom Line
New Hampshire is one of the best places to live in the US due to its thriving job market and low cost of living. Other things that contribute are its excellent education system and vibrant city life.
The Granite State’s current population is 1.3 million, projected to increase by 9% by 2030. Moreover, the state is ranked 1st among the states with the best economic opportunities.
In some cities, the median home price is around $164,740, whereas in cities like Conway, it can go up to $395,071. So, you must do your research before you move to New Hampshire. To start your home search, browse properties online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with New Hampshire’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in NH
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in New Hampshire. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in New Hampshire and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: New Hampshire Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in New Hampshire for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best place to live in New Hampshire?
Berlin is the best place to live in NH. The city's cost of living is low and has a flourishing job market.
Which is the best place to live in NH for retirees?
Keene is the best place to live for retirees. The city's crime rate is low and has great climate.
What is the cheapest place to live in NH?
Claremont is the cheapest place to live in NH. The home prices and cost of living in the city is one of the lowest in the state.
Related: The Best Places to Live in New Hampshire, What Are the Best Places to Live in New Hampshire
