New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks #1 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 87.6/100 and a A+ grade. Its strongest category is Health (100/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (43/100).
How Does New Hampshire Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in New Hampshire
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Hanover | A+ | 73.1 | 8,520 | $135,250 | 31 | 96.6 |
| 17 | Lebanon | A+ | 68.9 | 14,759 | $92,288 | 103.7 | 104.6 |
| 19 | Portsmouth | A+ | 68.6 | 22,332 | $105,756 | 143.1 | — |
| 37 | Durham | A+ | 67.4 | 10,577 | $109,934 | 50.2 | 96.6 |
| 56 | Dover | A+ | 65.7 | 33,070 | $92,748 | 44.5 | 91.7 |
| 58 | Londonderry | A+ | 65.6 | 12,307 | $113,109 | 63.3 | — |
| 81 | Hampton | A+ | 64.3 | 9,960 | $96,322 | 102.5 | — |
| 92 | Concord | A+ | 64.0 | 44,219 | $83,701 | 163.2 | 97 |
| 94 | Exeter | A+ | 63.9 | 10,138 | $83,862 | 55.5 | — |
| 115 | Nashua | A | 63.1 | 90,997 | $97,667 | 125.1 | 111.6 |
| 136 | Milford | A | 62.2 | 8,857 | $81,042 | 36.4 | 103.5 |
| 152 | Keene | A | 61.7 | 22,923 | $78,183 | 185.5 | — |
| 176 | Derry | A | 61.0 | 21,668 | $88,901 | 104.6 | — |
| 199 | Somersworth | A | 60.2 | 12,060 | $79,677 | 114.2 | — |
| 240 | Rochester | B+ | 59.1 | 32,866 | $79,388 | 113.6 | 105.1 |
| 262 | Laconia | B+ | 58.6 | 16,982 | $68,427 | 233 | — |
| 286 | Franklin | B+ | 57.9 | 8,757 | $69,870 | 112.7 | 97.4 |
| 348 | Manchester | B+ | 56.6 | 115,473 | $78,825 | 387.1 | 105.1 |
| 383 | Claremont | B | 55.8 | 13,054 | $54,520 | 113.2 | — |
| 467 | Berlin | B | 53.8 | 9,473 | $43,972 | 167.1 | — |
Best Cities in New Hampshire for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanover | 76.2 | 97.5 | 98.2 | 46.6 |
| 2 | Durham | 73.6 | 91.8 | 100.0 | 60.0 |
| 3 | Lebanon | 72.5 | 89.3 | 88.9 | 58.5 |
| 4 | Exeter | 70.8 | 90.7 | 98.8 | 54.6 |
| 5 | Portsmouth | 70.6 | 94.9 | 90.1 | 44.0 |
More Northeast States
New Hampshire Rankings Overview
New Hampshire earns an overall grade of A+ with a composite score of 87.6 out of 100, ranking #1 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Health (100/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (43/100).
Economy & Employment in New Hampshire
With an unemployment rate of 2.8% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), New Hampshire performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $97,880, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's violent crime rate of 110 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety. This makes it one of the safest states in America.
Health & Education in New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks #1 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #5 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in New Hampshire is 79.2 years, and the high school graduation rate is 88%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's total tax burden is 5.94% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. New Hampshire has no state income tax. The effective property tax rate is 1.89%, and there is no sales tax.
Housing & Affordability in New Hampshire
The median home price in New Hampshire is $483,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 105 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
Environment in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has a median air quality index of 37 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 14% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 15.6 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's population growth rate is +0.6% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +3.5 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 95.7% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in New Hampshire
The top-ranked cities in New Hampshire based on our composite scoring are Hanover, Lebanon, and Portsmouth. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in New Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Hampshire's overall ranking?
New Hampshire ranks #1 out of 50 states with a composite score of 87.6/100 and a grade of A+.
Is New Hampshire a good place to live?
New Hampshire ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 87.6/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in New Hampshire?
The violent crime rate in New Hampshire is 110 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does New Hampshire's economy compare?
New Hampshire's median household income is $97,880 with an unemployment rate of 2.8%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in New Hampshire?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in New Hampshire are Hanover, Lebanon, and Portsmouth.
How does New Hampshire rank for families?
New Hampshire ranks #1 of 50 states for families with a score of 92/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does New Hampshire rank for retirees?
New Hampshire ranks #1 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 82.4/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does New Hampshire rank for remote workers?
New Hampshire ranks #8 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 68.7/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.