8 Best Places To Live In New Hampshire In 2025

If you wish to plant your roots in a place that feels like home, New Hampshire is among the best states in the nation to consider. According to U.S. News & World Report rankings, the Granite State is one of the best states in New England to live in for 2024 and the second-best in the entire country. All likelihood is that 2025 may play out the same way. Although relatively small, New Hampshire scores big on natural beauty, with attractions such as the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee standing out as spellbinding outdoor gems. Moreover, the state is abuzz with job opportunities in the high-tech industry and is one of a handful that maintains a zero income tax policy. Looking for the best place to live in New Hampshire in 2025, check out Portsmouth and the rest of the towns below.

Keene

With its quiet, pastoral setting, Keene presents a slower, more laid-back option. One of the most special things about Keene is that it is walkable and bikeable, meaning daily errands rarely require a car. It also scores big on affordability, especially considering houses sell for a median listing price of just $340,000. Bonus point? You can get to Pisgah State Park on a whim and explore its many scenic hiking trails. The same holds for Monadnock State Park, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

Another thing is that Keene offers several big-city amenities, including shopping venues and hospitals. For example, Cheshire Medical Center, whose history goes back to the 1970s, runs a 24-hour emergency department. Finally, the town’s employment landscape is also fairly vibrant and features actors such as C&S Wholesale Grocers, an industry leader in supply chain solutions and wholesale grocery supply in the nation.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, with its waterfront location on the Piscataqua River, looks like the setting of a Hallmark movie. Think of the quaint Colonial charm of Newport, but this time of a different, softer kind. Although the property market here is hot, it comes with convenient access to a scenic river, the world’s second-largest ocean, nice, white-sand beaches (such as Seapoint Beach), and several theaters with comfortable seats, most of which are fantastic places to catch up with locals. For example, the Music Hall, a well-known cultural hub, has a history that goes back to the 1870s.

For any medical emergency, the Portsmouth Regional Hospital is in town and is a 2025 winner of America's 250 Best Hospitals Award. Also, Portsmouth’s job market is buzzing with opportunities, especially with big names such as Lonza Biologics, which employs over 1,000 people. That said, data from Zillow shows that houses in Portsmouth sell for a median listing price of around $740,000. Seniors looking for affordable alternatives can stay at Wentworth Senior Living, which has been in operation for over 100 years.

Dover

Dover is a well-kept city with friendly residents and safe neighborhoods. It boasts lots of community events that bring people together, such as the annual Apple Harvest Day, typically held on the first Saturday of October. Dover also scores big on accessibility. The COAST public transportation system connects it with a few of the surrounding towns, while Tendercrop Farm provides different kinds of meats and fresh vegetables at reasonable prices.

Also, although Hilton Park is a beautiful and family-friendly waterfront space, residents have other fantastic outdoor options around town. These include the Cocheco River, Bellamy River, and the nearby Vaughan Woods Memorial State Park. On healthcare access, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is a 2025 recipient of the Patient Safety Excellence Award. Add this to a budget-friendly median listing price point of $510,000, and you have an almost perfect place to live.

Manchester

Welcome to Manchester, a vibrant big city (by New Hampshire standards) with tons of inviting restaurants, a top-tier downtown strip, and fantastic access to both the mountains and the coast. McIntyre Resort is a beautiful and family-friendly venue for skiing. There is also the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, a handy amenity if you want to hop on a plane to Boston or any other big city.

To stay fit, the bike trail at Lake Massabesic is divine. Rock Rimmon, the largest park in the city, is a beautiful location where you can watch a scintillating sunrise. You also have a good high school that doubles up as one of the oldest in the state. Catholic Medical Center is a 2023 recipient of the America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery Award. Plus, Manchester is big and, therefore, has lots of job opportunities in various industries. What about the median listing price of houses in the area? Just $420,000, $70,000 less than the state average.

Hanover

Hanover is a small, charming town with a tight-knit community that immediately makes one feel right at home. From Dartmouth College to the stunning scenery to the many outdoor opportunities in the area, there is just so much to love about Hanover. The Connecticut River flows on the eastern flanks of town and offers fantastic recreational activities, while the nearby Boston Lot Lake is a different face of the same outdoor coin. There are several green spaces in town, including the beautiful Mink Brook Nature Preserve, which boasts some of the most breathtaking trail views in the area.

According to realtor.com, the median listing price of houses in Hanover stands at $770,000. Fortunately, this comes with ready access to a wide range of desirable amenities, including hospitals. For example, the highly rated Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital is right next door in Lebanon. Finally, Dartmouth College and the medical facilities in the area provide a good range of job opportunities to locals.

Durham

Durham is a beautiful college town with a vibrant social and entertainment scene. It hosts the University of New Hampshire, the state's largest institution of higher learning. If you have a thing for a stimulating academic environment and meeting young, bubbly individuals, this town is what you have in mind. Residents enjoy tranquil spots such as the Wagon Hill Farm, a big, shaded space with many scenic trails and picnic spots. There is also Adams Point WMA, whose trails are invitingly easy but just as lovely. On a lazy weekend, you can float down Oyster River or sip some calm and clarity at the nearby Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The property market is fairly hot here, especially considering houses sell for a median listing price of $660,000. Keep in mind that you are a heartbeat away from Portsmouth and Dover, which hosts the highly rated Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. With these nearby towns and the historic college, finding jobs around should be fairly easy.

Bow

Bow is a quaint community with great schools and nice neighborhoods. One of the best things about living in Bow is that it is just like living in Concord, which is a short ten-minute drive away. You have the Merrimack River and its tumbling rapids; the Hammond Nature Preserve, a quiet town forest with lovely trails; and Knox Forest, which features beautiful, tree-covered trails for both walking and biking.

Houses around Bow have a median listing price of $570,000, a reasonable price point, especially considering the town's proximity to both Concord and Manchester, and the amenities the two towns provide. A case in point is Concord Hospital, which won the 2024 Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award. Fortunately, it is not just about amenities. The towns around Bow also offer several job opportunities to residents in the area.

Hopkinton

Hopkinton is a nice, quiet town with a rhythm that is noticeably slow and smooth. One of the most exciting aspects of living in Hopkinton is that you are within a whisper of Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. Manchester, the state's largest city, is also less than 30 minutes down the road. That means you should expect jobs, amenities, and a fairly vibrant social landscape. Hopkinton-Everett Lake has a good mix of trails to steal the affections of an outdoor lover, while Sandy Beach Campground is a tranquil space with a lovely beach, a campsite, and boat slips. Residents also enjoy fantastic access to several recreation areas, ponds, and lakes, including Drew Lake. As of March 2025, houses in Hopkinton had a median listing price of $520,000. With the likes of Concord Hospital and Elliot Hospital in Manchester, healthcare access around Hopkinton is awesome.

The Takeaway

New Hampshire continues to shine as a desirable place to live, thanks to its combination of natural beauty, strong public services, and welcoming communities. Whether it's the peaceful charm of Hopkinton, the coastal appeal of Portsmouth, or the vibrant energy of Manchester, each town offers something unique for a wide range of lifestyles. With excellent healthcare, scenic landscapes, and access to both outdoor recreation and cultural amenities, New Hampshire presents an exceptional quality of life for 2025 and beyond.