NH Town Guide

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Retirement & Active Living

Towns popular with retirees, offering healthcare access, community amenities, and NH's tax advantages.

79
Towns

What It's Like

New Hampshire is increasingly popular with retirees thanks to no state income tax, no sales tax, and excellent healthcare facilities. From the Lakes Region to the Seacoast, these towns offer active lifestyles with golf, boating, cultural activities, and strong community organizations.

✓ Why These Towns Fit

These towns have higher percentages of residents over 65, good healthcare access, and amenities that appeal to active retirees. Many offer single-level living options, community centers, and social clubs. NH's tax structure is particularly advantageous for retirees living on fixed incomes.

💡 Things to Consider

Some retirement-focused towns can be expensive, especially near lakes and the coast. Winter can be isolating for those not prepared for snow. Healthcare access varies by location, with more remote areas having fewer specialists.

Recommended Towns

79 towns in New Hampshire that are great for retirement & active living.

Chesterfield

Cheshire County • Pop. 3,552

Median Age
45.2 years
Median Home Value
$275,800
Property Tax Rate
$21.65/$1k
lake loversfamilies
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Bethlehem

Grafton County • Pop. 2,484

Median Age
54.2 years
Median Home Value
$245,600
Property Tax Rate
$16.19/$1k
artistsretirees
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Holderness

Grafton County • Pop. 2,004

Median Age
44.7 years
Median Home Value
$346,900
Property Tax Rate
$9.42/$1k
nature loversretirees
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Freedom

Carroll County • Pop. 1,689

Median Age
58.8 years
Median Home Value
$339,100
Property Tax Rate
$7.39/$1k
familiesretirees
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Gilmanton

Belknap County • Pop. 3,945

Median Age
45 years
Median Home Value
$317,400
Property Tax Rate
$15.25/$1k
familiesretirees
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Sanbornton

Belknap County • Pop. 3,026

Median Age
45.8 years
Median Home Value
$349,400
Property Tax Rate
$13.21/$1k
familiesretirees
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Dublin

Cheshire County • Pop. 1,532

Median Age
51.2 years
Median Home Value
$358,200
Property Tax Rate
$17.62/$1k
artistsretirees
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Laconia

Belknap County • Pop. 16,871

Median Age
43.7 years
Median Home Value
$251,700
Property Tax Rate
$12.98/$1k
outdoor enthusiastsretirees
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New Castle

Rockingham County • Pop. 1,000

Median Age
57.4 years
Median Home Value
$1,475,000
Property Tax Rate
$5.73/$1k
affluent familiesretirees
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New Durham

Strafford County • Pop. 2,693

Median Age
43.9 years
Median Home Value
$284,400
Property Tax Rate
$14.14/$1k
lake loversretirees
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Sunapee

Sullivan County • Pop. 3,342

Median Age
52.8 years
Median Home Value
$341,700
Property Tax Rate
$10.55/$1k
lake loversoutdoor enthusiasts
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Wolfeboro

Carroll County • Pop. 6,416

Median Age
56.6 years
Median Home Value
$396,900
Property Tax Rate
$8.36/$1k
lake loversretirees
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Meredith

Belknap County • Pop. 6,662

Median Age
55.2 years
Median Home Value
$402,400
Property Tax Rate
$10.62/$1k
lake loversretirees
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Seabrook

Rockingham County • Pop. 8,401

Median Age
50.3 years
Median Home Value
$374,500
Property Tax Rate
$12.40/$1k
beach loversretirees
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Littleton

Grafton County • Pop. 6,005

Median Age
43.9 years
Median Home Value
$237,100
Property Tax Rate
$14.10/$1k
outdoor enthusiastssmall town lovers
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Wakefield

Carroll County • Pop. 5,201

Median Age
50.9 years
Median Home Value
$294,400
Property Tax Rate
$8.71/$1k
lake loversretirees
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Moultonborough

Carroll County • Pop. 4,918

Median Age
55.5 years
Median Home Value
$449,800
Property Tax Rate
$5.33/$1k
nature loversretirees
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Milton

Strafford County • Pop. 4,482

Median Age
43.1 years
Median Home Value
$247,200
Property Tax Rate
$14.76/$1k
familiesretirees
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Ossipee

Carroll County • Pop. 4,372

Median Age
54.5 years
Median Home Value
$249,600
Property Tax Rate
$12.77/$1k
lake loversretirees
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Lancaster

Coos County • Pop. 3,218

Median Age
44.7 years
Median Home Value
$187,800
Property Tax Rate
$21.07/$1k
familiesretirees
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Tuftonboro

Carroll County • Pop. 2,467

Median Age
57.4 years
Median Home Value
$386,200
Property Tax Rate
$6.40/$1k
retireesprivacy seekers
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Hampton Falls

Rockingham County • Pop. 2,403

Median Age
46.2 years
Median Home Value
$596,000
Property Tax Rate
$14.80/$1k
affluent familieseducation focused
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Sandwich

Carroll County • Pop. 1,466

Median Age
62.3 years
Median Home Value
$378,600
Property Tax Rate
$9.25/$1k
outdoor enthusiastsartists
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Center Harbor

Belknap County • Pop. 1,040

Median Age
63.5 years
Median Home Value
$356,700
Property Tax Rate
$11.84/$1k
lake loversretirees
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Sugar Hill

Grafton County • Pop. 647

Median Age
60.4 years
Median Home Value
$455,700
Property Tax Rate
$11.94/$1k
artistsretirees
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Hampton

Rockingham County • Pop. 16,214

Median Age
53.8 years
Median Home Value
$461,100
Property Tax Rate
$12.61/$1k
beach loversretirees
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Rye

Rockingham County • Pop. 5,543

Median Age
55.9 years
Median Home Value
$876,200
Property Tax Rate
$8.37/$1k
affluent familiesbeach lovers
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Alton

Belknap County • Pop. 5,894

Median Age
52.4 years
Median Home Value
$344,600
Property Tax Rate
$13.50/$1k
boatersretirees
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Bristol

Grafton County • Pop. 3,244

Median Age
42.4 years
Median Home Value
$212,300
Property Tax Rate
$13.16/$1k
lake loversretirees
Learn More →

Newbury

Merrimack County • Pop. 2,172

Median Age
48.6 years
Median Home Value
$406,900
Property Tax Rate
$10.48/$1k
lake loversski enthusiasts
Learn More →

Alexandria

Grafton County • Pop. 1,776

Median Age
53.3 years
Median Home Value
$250,300
Property Tax Rate
$19.87/$1k
familiesretirees
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Richmond

Cheshire County • Pop. 1,197

Median Age
55.3 years
Median Home Value
$274,700
Property Tax Rate
$19.13/$1k
familiesretirees
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Dalton

Coos County • Pop. 933

Median Age
43.5 years
Median Home Value
$127,500
Property Tax Rate
$17.07/$1k
familiesretirees
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Sullivan

Cheshire County • Pop. 658

Median Age
45.1 years
Median Home Value
$219,200
Property Tax Rate
$18.57/$1k
familiesretirees
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Dorchester

Grafton County • Pop. 339

Median Age
55.9 years
Median Home Value
$143,800
Property Tax Rate
$16.11/$1k
familiesretirees
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Bridgewater

Grafton County • Pop. 1,160

Median Age
55.6 years
Median Home Value
$324,200
Property Tax Rate
$6.35/$1k
familiesretirees
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Monroe

Grafton County • Pop. 864

Median Age
50.7 years
Median Home Value
$241,800
Property Tax Rate
$13.51/$1k
familiesretirees
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Francestown

Hillsborough County • Pop. 1,610

Median Age
50.3 years
Median Home Value
$350,300
Property Tax Rate
$15.60/$1k
familiesretirees
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Hancock

Hillsborough County • Pop. 1,731

Median Age
55.4 years
Median Home Value
$398,200
Property Tax Rate
$27.07/$1k
artistsretirees
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Sharon

Hillsborough County • Pop. 359

Median Age
49.2 years
Median Home Value
$406,300
Property Tax Rate
$17.82/$1k
familiesretirees
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Colebrook

Coos County • Pop. 2,084

Median Age
53.1 years
Median Home Value
$172,600
Property Tax Rate
$17.08/$1k
outdoor enthusiastsretirees
Learn More →

Tamworth

Carroll County • Pop. 2,812

Median Age
42.9 years
Median Home Value
$288,900
Property Tax Rate
$14.78/$1k
artistsoutdoor enthusiasts
Learn More →

Bradford

Merrimack County • Pop. 1,662

Median Age
46.6 years
Median Home Value
$252,900
Property Tax Rate
$16.89/$1k
familiesretirees
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Cornish

Sullivan County • Pop. 1,616

Median Age
54.3 years
Median Home Value
$269,400
Property Tax Rate
$17.30/$1k
artistshistory buffs
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Alstead

Cheshire County • Pop. 1,864

Median Age
54 years
Median Home Value
$203,200
Property Tax Rate
$18.72/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Piermont

Grafton County • Pop. 769

Median Age
42.6 years
Median Home Value
$285,900
Property Tax Rate
$22.46/$1k
familiesretirees
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Haverhill

Grafton County • Pop. 4,585

Median Age
49.9 years
Median Home Value
$174,900
Property Tax Rate
$22.74/$1k
familiesretirees
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Middleton

Strafford County • Pop. 1,823

Median Age
41.5 years
Median Home Value
$245,400
Property Tax Rate
$15.79/$1k
familiesretirees
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Lempster

Sullivan County • Pop. 1,118

Median Age
43.2 years
Median Home Value
$202,700
Property Tax Rate
$15.63/$1k
familiesretirees
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Bath

Grafton County • Pop. 1,077

Median Age
53.6 years
Median Home Value
$195,000
Property Tax Rate
$23.51/$1k
history buffsfamilies
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Salisbury

Merrimack County • Pop. 1,422

Median Age
51.6 years
Median Home Value
$276,100
Property Tax Rate
$17.91/$1k
familiesretirees
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Temple

Hillsborough County • Pop. 1,382

Median Age
46.4 years
Median Home Value
$352,800
Property Tax Rate
$15.36/$1k
familiesretirees
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Hebron

Grafton County • Pop. 632

Median Age
57.3 years
Median Home Value
$433,800
Property Tax Rate
$9.06/$1k
lake loversretirees
Learn More →

Hill

Merrimack County • Pop. 1,017

Median Age
47.9 years
Median Home Value
$229,400
Property Tax Rate
$13.26/$1k
familiesretirees
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Canaan

Grafton County • Pop. 3,794

Median Age
45.9 years
Median Home Value
$225,400
Property Tax Rate
$31.16/$1k
lake loverstiny town lovers
Learn More →

Croydon

Sullivan County • Pop. 801

Median Age
51 years
Median Home Value
$296,700
Property Tax Rate
$8.98/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Madison

Carroll County • Pop. 2,565

Median Age
43.8 years
Median Home Value
$331,600
Property Tax Rate
$8.98/$1k
lake loversretirees
Learn More →

Marlow

Cheshire County • Pop. 749

Median Age
47.7 years
Median Home Value
$252,800
Property Tax Rate
$18.87/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Effingham

Carroll County • Pop. 1,691

Median Age
39.3 years
Median Home Value
$245,500
Property Tax Rate
$15.38/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Whitefield

Coos County • Pop. 2,490

Median Age
51.1 years
Median Home Value
$201,200
Property Tax Rate
$16.21/$1k
retireesoutdoor enthusiasts
Learn More →

Canterbury

Merrimack County • Pop. 2,389

Median Age
47.7 years
Median Home Value
$363,700
Property Tax Rate
$20.49/$1k
history buffsfamilies
Learn More →

Fitzwilliam

Cheshire County • Pop. 2,351

Median Age
51.6 years
Median Home Value
$245,800
Property Tax Rate
$19.22/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Unity

Sullivan County • Pop. 1,518

Median Age
56.7 years
Median Home Value
$220,500
Property Tax Rate
$19.65/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Stoddard

Cheshire County • Pop. 1,374

Median Age
49.3 years
Median Home Value
$299,000
Property Tax Rate
$11.28/$1k
familiesretirees
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Springfield

Sullivan County • Pop. 1,259

Median Age
51.5 years
Median Home Value
$314,500
Property Tax Rate
$13.75/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Orford

Grafton County • Pop. 1,237

Median Age
48.7 years
Median Home Value
$275,500
Property Tax Rate
$17.51/$1k
history buffsretirees
Learn More →

Washington

Sullivan County • Pop. 1,192

Median Age
55.8 years
Median Home Value
$269,000
Property Tax Rate
$15.95/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Jefferson

Coos County • Pop. 1,043

Median Age
58.5 years
Median Home Value
$271,600
Property Tax Rate
$21.66/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Acworth

Sullivan County • Pop. 853

Median Age
41.5 years
Median Home Value
$216,300
Property Tax Rate
$16.06/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Goshen

Sullivan County • Pop. 796

Median Age
50.5 years
Median Home Value
$216,700
Property Tax Rate
$14.99/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Brookfield

Carroll County • Pop. 755

Median Age
54 years
Median Home Value
$338,400
Property Tax Rate
$13.15/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Langdon

Sullivan County • Pop. 651

Median Age
41.2 years
Median Home Value
$243,800
Property Tax Rate
$28.41/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Lyman

Grafton County • Pop. 585

Median Age
55.2 years
Median Home Value
$166,700
Property Tax Rate
$14.05/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Landaff

Grafton County • Pop. 446

Median Age
57.7 years
Median Home Value
$243,900
Property Tax Rate
$27.26/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Eaton

Carroll County • Pop. 405

Median Age
59.9 years
Median Home Value
$333,900
Property Tax Rate
$14.74/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Windsor

Hillsborough County • Pop. 262

Median Age
56.7 years
Median Home Value
$260,000
Property Tax Rate
$10.54/$1k
privacy seekersretirees
Learn More →

Roxbury

Cheshire County • Pop. 220

Median Age
39.7 years
Median Home Value
$244,100
Property Tax Rate
$16.71/$1k
privacy seekersretirees
Learn More →

Ashland

Grafton County • Pop. 1,938

Median Age
32.3 years
Median Home Value
$174,200
Property Tax Rate
$19.19/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →

Sutton

Merrimack County • Pop. 1,978

Median Age
47.4 years
Median Home Value
$289,900
Property Tax Rate
$16.61/$1k
familiesretirees
Learn More →
Compare Top 4 Towns →

Also Consider

🚤

Lake Living & Boating

Towns with access to NH's beautiful lakes, from Winnipesaukee to Sunapee and Squam.

🏖️

Beach & Seacoast Living

Coastal towns with ocean access, historic ports, and New England maritime culture.

🏡

Second Homes & Seasonal Living

Popular vacation destinations for second homes, from lake houses to mountain cabins.

Not Sure Which Lifestyle Fits?

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