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 $466,700.
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 5 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 Claremont to Concord, find out which cities made the list.
#1: Claremont
Median home price: $217,000
Average sale price per square foot: $152
Median household income: $46,848
Nearest major metro: Concord (50 miles)
Claremont, NH homes for sale
Claremont, NH apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $217,000, Claremont claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in New Hampshire. About 12,900 people live in this city and is roughly 50 miles from the nearest major metropolitan city, Concord. Living in Claremont, you can explore nature areas like the Arrowhead Recreation Area, Moody Park, and the Sugar River Trail, stroll through the downtown area, or take a drive into Vermont.
#2: Keene
Median home price: $298,000
Average sale price per square foot: $188
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
Coming in as the second best affordable city 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.
#3: Hooksett
Median home price: $350,000
Average sale price per square foot: $233
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,274
Median household income: $74,497
Nearest major metro: Manchester (5 miles)
Hooksett, NH homes for sale
Hooksett, NH apartments for rent
About 14,900 people reside in Hooksett, about 5 miles north of Manchester. The median home sale price is $350,000 which is about $115K less than the median home sale price in New Hampshire. Make sure to explore Bear Brook State Park where you can hike and check out the museums, and take in the views of the Merrimack River if you move to the third most affordable city.
#4: Rochester
Median home price: $364,000
Average sale price per square foot: $238
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 Hooksett 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.
#5: Concord
Median home price: $385,000
Average sale price per square foot: $243
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.
Methodology: All cities must have over 10,000 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 August 2023. 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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