7 Most Affordable Places to Live in New Hampshire in 2024
New Hampshire is home to a wide range of scenic landscapes like the White Mountains and the Lakes Region with roughly 270 bodies of water, quaint beach villages, and charming historic towns. Striking a balance between city life and outdoor recreation, New Hampshire is an inviting place to call home.
If you’re currently living in or are considering moving to the “Granite State,” then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. When it comes to buying a home in New Hampshire the median home sale price is $507,200.
Don’t worry if that number doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has rounded up a list of the 7 of the most affordable places to live in New Hampshire – and they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Keene to Concord, find out which cities made the list.
#1: Keene
Median home price: $326,500
Average sale price per square foot: $205
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $950
Median household income: $57,393
Nearest major metro: Concord (50 miles)
Keene, NH homes for sale
Keene, NH apartments for rent
Taking the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in New Hampshire is Keene. When living in this city of 23,000 people, you can visit one of the beautiful nature areas and forests like Horatio Colony Nature Preserve, Greater Goose Pond Forest, and Otter Brook Lake. There’s plenty to do in town such as watching a show at The Colonial Theatre and exploring the downtown area.
#2: Concord
Median home price: $350,000
Average sale price per square foot: $262
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,320
Median household income: $57,393
Concord, NH homes for sale
Concord, NH apartments for rent
Another great area to add to your list is Concord. With 43,900 people living in this affordable town, Concord is a great option to consider when looking to stay in New Hampshire without paying the premium for a home in a larger city. Living in Concord, you can stop by the New Hampshire State House dating back to 1819, visit Penacook Lake, explore the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, and watch a concert or Broadway revival at Capitol Center for the Arts.
#3: Rochester
Median home price: $415,000
Average sale price per square foot: $263
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,115
Median household income: $57,393
Nearest major metro: Portsmouth (20 miles)
Rochester, NH homes for sale
Rochester, NH apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Concord is none other than Rochester. With roughly 32,500 residents in Rochester, make sure to spend time outdoors such as camping by Baxter Lake at Grand View Campground and hiking the Pickering Ponds Trail. You can also check out the restaurants downtown and watch a show at the Rochester Opera House.
#4: Manchester
Median home price: $459,500
Average sale price per square foot: $262
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,777
Median household income: $74,040
Manchester, NH homes for sale
Manchester, NH apartments for rent
The fourth spot on our list goes to Manchester, situated along the beautiful Merrimack River. Home to 115,400 residents, Manchester’s home prices are about $50K less than the state’s average. There are plenty of things to do in Manchester such as exploring the Currier Museum of Art, seeing a show at the Palace Theatre, strolling along the Heritage Trail, or enjoying the views from Rock Rimmon Park. You’ll never tire of exploring Manchester.
#5: Hudson
Median home price: $473,250
Average sale price per square foot: $347
Median household income: $80,901
Nearest major metro: Nashua (2 miles)
Hudson, NH homes for sale
Hudson, NH apartments for rent
Next up is Hudson, located just outside of Nashua. Home to about 25,500 people, Hudson has a small-town charm with its views of the Merrimack River and local shops. You can also find plenty of green spaces, like Benson Park, museums like Hills House, and landmarks like the Hudson Speedway.
#6: Nashua
Median home price: $487,533
Average sale price per square foot: $266
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,056
Median household income: $88,766
Nashua, NH homes for sale
Nashua, NH apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $487,533, Nashua takes the sixth spot. About 91,000 people live in this city, where you’ll find plenty to do. Nashua is home to the gorgeous Mine Falls Park, which has trails, river views, and sports fields. Don’t miss out on exploring the charming downtown where there are plenty of local shops, riverfront restaurants, and historic buildings. If you’re looking for something outdoorsy, make sure to hike along the Nashua River Rail Trail Head.
#7: Derry
Median home price: $500,000
Average sale price per square foot: $271
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $4,159
Median household income: $83,750
Nearest major metro: Manchester (13 miles)
Derry, NH homes for sale
Derry, NH apartments for rent
The final city to make our list of affordable places to live in New Hampshire is Derry. With about 34,200 residents and a median home sale price of $500,000, Derry is a great option if you’re looking to live in the state. It’s also close to Manchester, so you can enjoy a smaller community without living in the big city. In Derry, you’ll find plenty of historic places like Taylor Mill State Historic Site, Robert Frost Farm State Historic Site, and Tupelo Music Hall.
Methodology: All cities must have over 20,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in New Hampshire. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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