Best Cities for Families in New Hampshire
Why New Hampshire Works for Families
New Hampshire is one of the very best state for families, ranking #1 out of 50. With excellent schools, a low violent crime rate of 110 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $97,880, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs run above the national average with a cost-of-living index of 105.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and New Hampshire delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 88%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 92/100. At $13,280 per year for infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. New Hampshire excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 110 incidents per 100,000 residents. The higher cost of living (index: 105) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # | City | Grade | Families Score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanover | A+ | 76.2 | 73.1 | 98 | 98 | 47 | 8,520 |
| 2 | Durham | A+ | 73.6 | 67.4 | 92 | 100 | 60 | 10,577 |
| 3 | Lebanon | A+ | 72.5 | 68.9 | 89 | 89 | 59 | 14,759 |
| 4 | Exeter | A+ | 70.8 | 63.9 | 91 | 99 | 55 | 10,138 |
| 5 | Portsmouth | A+ | 70.6 | 68.6 | 95 | 90 | 44 | 22,332 |
| 6 | Milford | A | 69.6 | 62.2 | 85 | 100 | 62 | 8,857 |
| 7 | Londonderry | A+ | 69.1 | 65.6 | 84 | 99 | 49 | 12,307 |
| 8 | Hampton | A+ | 69.1 | 64.3 | 89 | 96 | 50 | 9,960 |
| 9 | Concord | A+ | 68.7 | 64.0 | 85 | 86 | 64 | 44,219 |
| 10 | Dover | A+ | 68.3 | 65.7 | 67 | 97 | 61 | 33,070 |
| 11 | Derry | A | 66.0 | 61.0 | 76 | 95 | 55 | 21,668 |
| 12 | Nashua | A | 65.7 | 63.1 | 70 | 91 | 57 | 90,997 |
| 13 | Keene | A | 65.1 | 61.7 | 74 | 78 | 61 | 22,923 |
| 14 | Somersworth | A | 64.8 | 60.2 | 79 | 86 | 58 | 12,060 |
| 15 | Berlin | B | 63.3 | 53.8 | 78 | 88 | 68 | 9,473 |
| 16 | Claremont | B | 63.0 | 55.8 | 77 | 83 | 64 | 13,054 |
| 17 | Rochester | B+ | 62.6 | 59.1 | 58 | 91 | 65 | 32,866 |
| 18 | Laconia | B+ | 62.0 | 58.6 | 70 | 73 | 59 | 16,982 |
| 19 | Franklin | B+ | 61.6 | 57.9 | 48 | 95 | 68 | 8,757 |
| 20 | Manchester | B+ | 58.8 | 56.6 | 61 | 70 | 61 | 115,473 |