NH Town Guide

Find Your Perfect New Hampshire Town

Bedford

Hillsborough CountyMerrimack ValleyPopulation: 23,322

Overview

Bedford ranks among New Hampshire's most affluent communities, offering excellent schools, beautiful neighborhoods, and convenient access to Manchester and beyond. Located in Hillsborough County, Bedford combines rural character with upscale suburban amenities. The town's winding roads, stone walls, and preserved open spaces create a distinctly New England atmosphere, while the town center maintains its historic character around the Bedford Village Common. Bedford's school system is consistently rated among the state's finest, with high per-pupil spending and strong academic performance attracting families willing to pay premium housing prices for educational quality. The town offers excellent recreational facilities, including the Bedford Village Inn, numerous conservation areas, and well-maintained athletic fields. Bedford's location provides easy access to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and major highways while feeling removed from urban congestion. The town's housing market features primarily single-family homes on larger lots, with many properties offering privacy and natural settings. Bedford attracts successful professionals, executives, and families seeking the best schools and a prestigious address. While property values and taxes are among the state's highest, residents value the combination of excellent education, safety, natural beauty, and convenient location that Bedford provides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Top schools
  • Low crime
  • Affluent
  • Well-maintained

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Exclusive feel
  • Limited diversity

Climate & Environment

Summer Avg High
81°F
Winter Avg High
36.9°F
Annual Snowfall
48.9 in
Annual Rainfall
49.4 in
Sunny Days/Year
267
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5Updated 7/3/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
54 mi
~66 min drive
Manchester
5 mi
~12 min drive
Portsmouth
50 mi
~66 min drive
Concord
21 mi
~31 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMapUpdated 7/3/2026

Economy & Demographics

💰Income

Median Household Income
$151,850
Per Capita Income
$65,822
Median Family Income
$176,385

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$539,500
Median Rent
$1,847/mo
Homeownership Rate
84.07%

💼Employment

Unemployment Rate
1.86%
In Labor Force
12,066
Work From Home
0.16%

🎓Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
36.73%
Total with Degree
5,798

🚗Commute

Work From Home
0.16%

👥Demographics

Median Age
44 years
Avg Household Size
2.88 people
Data source: Census ACS 2022 (5-Year)Census Data Year: 2022Updated 7/3/2026

Compare Bedford with Other Towns

See how Bedford stacks up against other NH communities.