Best Cities for Young Professionals in New Hampshire
Why New Hampshire Works for Young Professionals
New Hampshire ranks #2 out of 50 for young professionals — a top destination for ambitious early-career workers. The state's economy scores 85/100, reflecting a strong job market with 2.8% unemployment and a median household income of $97,880. Modest population growth of 0.6% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 105, expenses are near the national norm — what you earn is roughly what you keep. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. New Hampshire's livability score of 56/100 is adequate — metro areas have decent options, though the state isn't known as a cultural hub. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 45/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # | City | Grade | Young Professionals Score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Livability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanover | A+ | 67.0 | 73.1 | 69 | 50 | 53 | 8,520 |
| 2 | Dover | A+ | 64.7 | 65.7 | 72 | 60 | 51 | 33,070 |
| 3 | Lebanon | A+ | 64.6 | 68.9 | 74 | 53 | 45 | 14,759 |
| 4 | Durham | A+ | 63.3 | 67.4 | 58 | 50 | 53 | 10,577 |
| 5 | Portsmouth | A+ | 62.9 | 68.6 | 76 | 55 | 48 | 22,332 |
| 6 | Nashua | A | 60.3 | 63.1 | 68 | 52 | 48 | 90,997 |
| 7 | Concord | A+ | 60.0 | 64.0 | 67 | 50 | 44 | 44,219 |
| 8 | Keene | A | 59.1 | 61.7 | 64 | 50 | 45 | 22,923 |
| 9 | Londonderry | A+ | 59.0 | 65.6 | 59 | 50 | 53 | 12,307 |
| 10 | Rochester | B+ | 57.7 | 59.1 | 65 | 49 | 44 | 32,866 |
| 11 | Laconia | B+ | 57.5 | 58.6 | 59 | 57 | 50 | 16,982 |
| 12 | Hampton | A+ | 57.4 | 64.3 | 52 | 50 | 53 | 9,960 |
| 13 | Franklin | B+ | 57.1 | 57.9 | 61 | 50 | 44 | 8,757 |
| 14 | Exeter | A+ | 56.8 | 63.9 | 46 | 50 | 53 | 10,138 |
| 15 | Somersworth | A | 56.2 | 60.2 | 65 | 50 | 44 | 12,060 |
| 16 | Manchester | B+ | 55.9 | 56.6 | 61 | 51 | 47 | 115,473 |
| 17 | Milford | A | 55.6 | 62.2 | 45 | 50 | 53 | 8,857 |
| 18 | Derry | A | 55.6 | 61.0 | 48 | 50 | 53 | 21,668 |
| 19 | Claremont | B | 51.7 | 55.8 | 53 | 45 | 41 | 13,054 |
| 20 | Berlin | B | 48.8 | 53.8 | 46 | 39 | 38 | 9,473 |