Best Cities for Families in New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks #1 of 50 for families, with a families score of 89.6. Hanover is its best city for families at 73.1.
- New Hampshire, all states
- #1 of 50
- Population
- 8,479
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 117.6 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $99,782, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 104.2.
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 87.7%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 78/100. Center-based infant care runs $16,462 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
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 117.6 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The higher cost of living (index: 104.2) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hanover | A+ | 73.1 | 80.8 | 98 | 100 | 34 | 8,479 |
| 2Durham | A+ | 71.1 | 71.2 | 92 | 97 | 56 | 10,681 |
| 3Lebanon | A+ | 68.7 | 72.2 | 89 | 86 | 60 | 14,999 |
| 4Portsmouth | A+ | 67.2 | 68.9 | 95 | 86 | 41 | 22,545 |
| 5Dover | A+ | 66.9 | 67.6 | 67 | 99 | 55 | 33,364 |
| 6Concord | A | 66.3 | 64.4 | 85 | 85 | 65 | 44,375 |
| 7Somersworth | B+ | 66.2 | 60.8 | 79 | 88 | 62 | 12,111 |
| 8Exeter | A | 65.9 | 65.9 | 96 | — | 57 | 9,964 |
| 9Nashua | A | 64.9 | 63.2 | 70 | 92 | 56 | 91,294 |
| 10Keene | A | 64.7 | 63.7 | 74 | 82 | 71 | 22,939 |
| 11Milford | B+ | 63.5 | 61.1 | 85 | — | 61 | 8,956 |
| 12Londonderry | A | 63.2 | 66.7 | 85 | — | 49 | 12,225 |
| 13Laconia | B+ | 63.0 | 60.0 | 70 | 77 | 68 | 17,085 |
| 14Rochester | B+ | 62.4 | 60.2 | 58 | 91 | 65 | 33,144 |
| 15Hampton | A | 61.8 | 63.5 | 89 | — | 50 | 10,101 |
| 16Claremont | B | 61.4 | 57.2 | 77 | 82 | 75 | 13,078 |
| 17Derry | B+ | 60.4 | 60.4 | 76 | — | 58 | 21,339 |
| 18Franklin | B | 59.8 | 57.6 | 48 | 92 | 73 | 8,799 |
| 19Berlin | C+ | 59.1 | 53.3 | 78 | 77 | 82 | 9,383 |
| 20Manchester | B | 58.3 | 57.3 | 56 | 75 | 60 | 115,643 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: New Hampshire for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Hampshire a good state for families?
New Hampshire ranks #1 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 89.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (94/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (43/100).
What is the best city for families in New Hampshire?
Hanover ranks #1 in New Hampshire for families with a score of 73.1/100, followed by Durham and Lebanon.
What factors are most important for families in New Hampshire?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.