New Hampshire is seeing a lot of transplants these days, and for good reason. The Granite State’s affordable cost of living, low crime rate, and proximity to serene natural settings make it a great place to rent or buy a home. But finding a place that meets all your expectations can be challenging.

That’s where Jerry comes in. The top-rated insurance app across all platforms,

Jerry

doesn’t just save you time and money on

home

and

car insurance

. We’ve collected facts on 8 New Hampshire towns and cities to make your house hunting a little easier.

Ready to dive in? Let’s look at some New Hampshire locations that are affordable, good for raising families, and great markets for real estate.

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What makes a good place to live?

We all have different criteria for what makes a place livable. From grocery and gas prices to schools, parks, and nightlife, we want our home to support our lifestyle and accommodate our needs. Whether you’re a big city person or prefer small-town living, you likely have a lot to consider before settling down in a new place.

We’ve come up with eight New Hampshire cities and towns that might make your shortlist of places to live. When determining which names would make the list, we looked at livability, affordability, and community amenities by tracking the following factors:

Median household income

Median home price

Cost of living

Quality of schools

Crime rates

Healthcare

Average commute times

FEMA risk index ratings

Using these criteria, we’ve narrowed down the best places to live in New Hampshire based on three categories; the best places for families, the most affordable places, and the best places to buy a house and settle down.

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The best places for families to live in New Hampshire

The low crime rate, great schools, and access to outdoor spaces are all things to consider when looking for a place to raise a family. Here are two towns in New Hampshire that meet that criteria the best.

Hanover

Location: Grafton County

Population: 11,260

Median household income: $241,667

Median home price: $867,200

Located in the scenic Upper Connecticut River Valley, Hanover offers a dense, suburban feel with proximity to some of the state’s most beautiful countryside. The home of historic Dartmouth College, Hanover is more than a college town, sporting several great museums and lots of natural opportunities for outdoorsy types.

The biggest draw to Hanover for families, however, has to be the schools. Ranked by

Niche

as the #1 school district in New Hampshire, Hanover schools offer quality educational opportunities with a 1:11 ratio of teachers to students. Hanover High School ranks #2 in the state for both State Assessment Proficiency and Performance. Hanover’s highly ranked middle school offers a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, and its elementary schools show strong academic progress in their students with test scores well above the state average.

The great school district, combined with a low crime rate and job opportunities, for professionals makes Hanover one of the best places in New Hampshire to raise kids.

Bedford

Location: Hillsborough County

Population: 22,535

Median household income: $135,021

Median home price: $407,300

A suburb of Manchester,

Bedford

is an upscale residential town with a lot of soul. Ranked in the 84th percentile for public safety, Bedford offers a comfortable, stable community environment with lots of opportunities.

Bedford is just 15 minutes from downtown

Manchester

, giving it a serene, suburban atmosphere while also granting access to the city. Its charming downtown area has plenty of local shops, cafes, and restaurants for you to enjoy. Stroll along the Merrimack River, or bring your kids to the town’s many pristine parks and green spaces.

Bedford’s school district is ranked 4th in the state, with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. It’s also ranked #1 in the state for young athletes, with many athletic extracurriculars from elementary school and beyond.

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The most affordable places to live in New Hampshire

The high cost of living is becoming a challenge for most people these days, and many are looking for affordable alternatives to big city living. Here are some small towns and suburbs that are affordable while also maintaining a high quality of living.

Somersworth

Location: Strafford County

Population: 11,925

Median household income: $66,663

Median home price: $341,967

According to local market data,

Somersworth

is the next big thing in southeast New Hampshire. The city granted more building permits in 2020 than any other year in history according to city staff, and it has attracted a wide range of new businesses and professionals due to its affordable, high quality of living.

Somersworth offers all the amenities of a big city while maintaining a quiet, secluded atmosphere. The town is located on the peaceful banks of the Salmon Falls River, which also serves as the border between New Hampshire and Maine.

And of course, it’s incredibly affordable. Somersworth ranks as one of the cheapest towns in New Hampshire overall, with one of the best home price-to-income ratios in the state and the 6th least expensive homes statewide. With great schools, access to nearby

Rochester

, and great proximity to nature, Somersworth can give you a great deal on housing in a charming, serene location.

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Newport

Location: Sullivan County

Population: 6,507

Median household income: $54,816

Median home price: $231,345

Nicknamed “The Sunshine Town”, Newport offers an idyllic small town experience with a low cost of living and a comfortable community atmosphere. Its delightful little downtown is dotted with local and chain restaurants, as well as plenty of shops and amenities to support your lifestyle.

The biggest draw to Newport has to be its gorgeous natural setting. You can spend your mornings on the banks of the Sugar River, or take a short drive to nearby Lake Sunapee for fishing, kayaking, and more.

If you’re at all outdoorsy, you’ll love Newport's access to trails, parks, and green spaces. The Sugar River Recreational Trail,

Mt. Sunapee State Park

, Pollard Mill Falls, and Webb Forest are all within a short distance of town, making Newport one of the most idyllic and serene towns on this list.

Franklin

Location: Merrimack County

Population: 8,695

Median household income: $52,795

Median home price: $293,712

With some of the cheapest home prices in the state, Franklin is one of the most affordable places to live in New Hampshire. Its rural setting and access to nature make it perfect for a slower, more relaxed lifestyle with an outdoor emphasis.

Nearby, you’ll find

Winslow State Park

Rollins State Park

, and Mt. Kearsarge State Forest all within a 30-minute drive. The town itself is bordered by Great Gains Memorial Forest, and the beautiful Pemigewasset River runs right through town. Its downtown area has several shops, restaurants, and breweries, as well as an art gallery and several bars.

If you’re looking to lose yourself in an idyllic rural setting surrounded by forests and lakes, Franklin is the place for you. And it’s cheap, too!

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Best places to buy a house in New Hampshire

Buying a house is a big commitment, and you’ll want to do your research about the housing market and climate of the city before choosing a community in which to settle down. To help you make your decision, we’ve looked at Realtor.com’s analysis of the housing market and the FEMA Risk Index and determined that these are the best places to buy a house in New Hampshire.

Brookline

Location: Hillsborough County

Population: 59,022

Median household income: $141,875

Median home price: $329,100

This rural town is located in Hillsborough County, right on the border with Massachusetts. A 90-minute drive from downtown Boston,

Brookline

offers a serene, rural feel with a charming downtown and access to gorgeous natural lands.

Brookline’s downtown area hosts the

Andres Institute of Art

, New England's largest outdoor sculpture park. The park has 100+ sculptures from local and traveling artists that it attracts through its

Annual Sculpture Symposium

. Walk along the park’s miles of well-kept trails while taking in the beauty of its many sculptures and works of art.

Homeowners don’t have to worry much about the risk of natural disasters in Brookline, as FEMA rates the city relatively low-risk with a score of 8.29—the biggest natural disaster risk is ice storms, but even that is relatively moderate.

Niche ranks Brookline as the #1 place to buy a house in New Hampshire. With highly ranked schools and a crime rate that’s almost 4x lower than the national average, Brookline is a laid-back, easygoing community with a lot of charm.

Cornish

Location: Sullivan County

Population: 1,616

Median household income: $75,417

Median home price: $280,800

The smallest town on our list, Cornish is a charming rural community with plenty of opportunities for outdoorsy types. The town hosts the annual

Cornish Fair

, drawing thousands of visitors every year and representing the best of western New Hampshire.

Located on the border with Vermont, Cornish is the home of the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. Cornish also has a violent crime rate of 0, making it one of the safest towns in New Hampshire. Additionally, FEMA gives the city a very low Risk Index rating of 6.40.

With highly-rated public schools and near-constant opportunities for outdoor adventure, Cornish represents the best in rural living and is the perfect place to settle down. While you’ll have to go to nearby Claremont or Lebanon for nightlife, you’ll certainly get some peace and quiet living in Cornish.

Dunbarton

Location: Merrimack County

Population: 2,916

Median household income: $94,417

Median home price: $407,900

Just a half-hour from

Concord

, New Hampshire’s largest city, Dunbarton is a great place to settle down. Another densely rural small town, Dunbarton’s access to nature and idyllic setting make it the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a quiet lifestyle in the country. Homeowners also can rest easy, knowing that the FEMA rates the risk of natural disasters in Dunbarton at just 6.40.

Originally settled as a military camp in 1765, historic Dunbarton celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2015. The town is dotted with historic buildings and monuments, from an 1859 manor house to a life-like bronze statue of Caleb Stark, a Dunbarton native who was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1778.

Dunbarton is nestled in the hills of south-central New Hampshire, with stunning views of Mt. Monadnock and Crotched Mountain, as well as the region’s ancient pine grove. Just within the town limits, there’s a wildlife area, several ponds and parks, and Kuncanowet Town Forest. If you’re looking to relax and take in nature at all times of the year, Dunbarton is the place for you.

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How to find homeowners and car insurance in New Hampshire

Moving is expensive. From home expenses to costs of moving companies, you might feel like moving to New Hampshire is more trouble than it’s worth. Not to mention getting a new

home insurance

policy.

If you need to update your insurance but don’t have the time, let

Jerry

do the hard work for you. Jerry contacts your home insurance company to get the details of your current coverage so you don’t have to scale a mountain of questions. Then, they’ll use that information to find you new quotes—based on your current information. You get all the best prices and coverage with none of the legwork.

Better yet, Jerry will help you bundle your home and auto insurance for even bigger savings and less paperwork.

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