Best Cities for Young Professionals in New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks #4 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 74.9. Hanover is its best city for young professionals at 75.7.
- New Hampshire, all states
- #4 of 50
- Population
- 8,479
Why New Hampshire Works for Young Professionals
New Hampshire ranks #4 out of 50 for young professionals — a top destination for ambitious early-career workers. The state's economy scores 74/100, reflecting a strong job market with 3.2% unemployment and a median household income of $99,782. Modest population growth of 0.48% 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 104.2, 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 50/100 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: 46/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hanover | A+ | 75.7 | 80.8 | 87 | — | 69 | 8,479 |
| 2Lebanon | A+ | 67.6 | 72.2 | 75 | 60 | 52 | 14,999 |
| 3Durham | A+ | 65.1 | 71.2 | 70 | — | 28 | 10,681 |
| 4Dover | A+ | 64.1 | 67.6 | 71 | 68 | 38 | 33,364 |
| 5Portsmouth | A+ | 60.2 | 68.9 | 72 | 51 | 45 | 22,545 |
| 6Londonderry | A | 59.3 | 66.7 | 77 | — | 33 | 12,225 |
| 7Keene | A | 58.8 | 63.7 | 61 | 43 | 40 | 22,939 |
| 8Concord | A | 57.6 | 64.4 | 64 | 46 | 35 | 44,375 |
| 9Exeter | A | 57.5 | 65.9 | 64 | — | 37 | 9,964 |
| 10Nashua | A | 57.1 | 63.2 | 63 | 48 | 38 | 91,294 |
| 11Rochester | B+ | 56.2 | 60.2 | 62 | 49 | 34 | 33,144 |
| 12Hampton | A | 54.9 | 63.5 | 63 | — | 35 | 10,101 |
| 13Laconia | B+ | 54.9 | 60.0 | 57 | 43 | 37 | 17,085 |
| 14Franklin | B | 54.5 | 57.6 | 58 | 48 | 26 | 8,799 |
| 15Manchester | B | 54.5 | 57.3 | 59 | 48 | 39 | 115,643 |
| 16Derry | B+ | 54.2 | 60.4 | 62 | — | 35 | 21,339 |
| 17Milford | B+ | 53.9 | 61.1 | 60 | — | 36 | 8,956 |
| 18Somersworth | B+ | 53.4 | 60.8 | 60 | 42 | 36 | 12,111 |
| 19Claremont | B | 52.6 | 57.2 | 53 | 43 | 35 | 13,078 |
| 20Berlin | C+ | 48.9 | 53.3 | 41 | 41 | 34 | 9,383 |
City young professionals 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.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: New Hampshire for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Hampshire a good state for young professionals?
New Hampshire ranks #4 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 74.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (94/100) and its weakest is Transportation (46/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in New Hampshire?
Hanover ranks #1 in New Hampshire for young professionals with a score of 75.7/100, followed by Lebanon and Durham.
What factors are most important for young professionals in New Hampshire?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.