As the “Granite State,” New Hampshire is known for its rugged landscape – granite quarries, the White Mountains, and rocky coastline. And the idyllic New Hampshire beach towns dotted up and down the coast are some of the best you’ll find. Whether you’re looking to relocate to New Hampshire or one of the many New Hampshirites looking for a beachside property, you have lots of towns to choose from.
But if you’re not sure what coastal towns in New Hampshire to check out, we’ve got you covered. To help you find the right area, Redfin has put together a list of 7 picturesque coastal towns in New Hampshire from Hampton to Portsmouth. Let’s dive into some of New Hampshire’s top beach cities, listed in alphabetical order, so you can find the right place for you.
#1: Hampton
Median home price: $460,000
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,455
Hampton, NH homes for sale
Hampton, NH apartments for rent
Starting off our list is Hampton where you’ll find plenty of beaches to explore such as Hampton Beach State Park and North Beach. About 15,600 people live in this coastal New Hampshire town where you can also go deep sea fishing, take a whale watching tour, and explore the Hampton Salt Marsh Conservation Area.
#2: Hampton Beach
Median home price: $469,000
Hampton Beach, NH homes for sale
Hampton Beach, NH apartments for rent
Another one of New Hampshire’s great beach towns to consider buying a home in is Hampton Beach. This town of 2,500 people is located just south of Hampton. Some things to do in Hampton Beach include visiting the beach at Hampton Beach, camping at Hampton Beach State Park, exploring the charming downtown streets, and seeing a show at the Casino Ballroom.
#3: New Castle
New Castle, NH homes for sale
New Castle, NH apartments for rent
The easternmost town in New Hampshire, New Castle, has just about 980 residents. This village is just east of Portsmouth and you’ll find beaches like New Castle Beach and Great Island Common. If you find yourself moving to New Castle, make sure to explore the sites at Fort Stark State Historic Park.
#4: North Hampton
North Hampton, NH homes for sale
North Hampton, NH apartments for rent
Home to beautiful beaches like North Hampton Beach, there are countless places to spend a beach day in North Hampton. With roughly 4,500 residents living in this coastal New Hampshire town, make sure to also check out the flowers at Fuller Gardens or have a meal at a local restaurant.
#5: Portsmouth
Median home price: $860,000
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,600
Portsmouth, NH homes for sale
Portsmouth, NH apartments for rent
The charming beach town of Portsmouth has about 22,300 residents, making it another great option, especially if you’re looking for a blend of city and beach life. You’ll find gorgeous beaches such as Peirce Island that overlooks the Piscataqua River. In Portsmouth, you can tour one of the museums like Strawbery Banke Museum or USS Albacore Museum, explore Sagamore Creek Headlands, or stroll through downtown.
#6: Rye
Rye, NH homes for sale
Rye, NH apartments for rent
Home to roughly 4,500 people, Rye is a great beach town to consider living in. Some beaches you can visit include Bass Beach, Foss Beach, Jenness State Beach, Odiorne State Park, Sawyers Beach, and Wallis State Beach. You’ll have easy access to what makes this beach town stand out, so make sure to stop by some of the historic monuments throughout the city, explore Odiorne Point State Park, or have some local seafood.
#7: Seabrook
Seabrook, NH homes for sale
Seabrook, NH apartments for rent
With a population of close to 8,900, Seabrook is a magnificent coastal spot to live in, located along the Massachusetts border. There are plenty of beaches to explore like Salisbury Beach and Seabrook Dunes Beach. Make sure to check out the downtown area, stroll through the beachfront parks, and camp at one of the many sites once moving to Seabrook.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in New Hampshire. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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