Exeter

Rockingham Countyβ€’Seacoast Regionβ€’Population: 16,049

Overview

Exeter combines prestigious educational heritage with historic charm and modern economic vitality. Located in Rockingham County, Exeter is home to Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the nation's most elite prep schools, which significantly influences the town's character and economy. The town's historic downtown features beautiful brick buildings, independent shops, and restaurants, while the Exeter River and dam provide a scenic focal point.

Beyond the academy, Exeter offers a diverse economy including healthcare, technology, and retail. The town's location provides convenient access to Portsmouth, the seacoast, and southern New Hampshire employment centers. Exeter's public school system serves about 2,000 students and benefits from the educational atmosphere created by the academy's presence. The town offers excellent recreational opportunities, including the Exeter River for kayaking, numerous trails, and well-maintained athletic facilities.

Exeter's housing market features historic homes in established neighborhoods, modern developments, and everything in between. The town attracts families seeking excellent schools and cultural amenities, professionals working in Portsmouth or southern New Hampshire, and retirees drawn to the town's walkable downtown and community atmosphere. Exeter's combination of educational excellence, historic character, and convenient location makes it one of the seacoast region's most desirable communities.

Pros & Cons

βœ“ Pros

  • β€’Historic charm
  • β€’Excellent schools
  • β€’Cultural attractions
  • β€’Walkable downtown

βœ— Cons

  • β€’Expensive
  • β€’Limited parking
  • β€’Competitive housing

Cost of Owning Here

Official property tax rates published by the NH Department of Revenue Administration, plus estimated tax bills for Exeter.

2025 Local Tax Rate
$18.76
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$16.45
Equalization ratio: 88%
Municipal
$4.48
Local School
$12.46
State Education
$1.19
County
$0.63

Why "Effective Rate" is a better comparison

New Hampshire towns do not all assess property at the same percentage of market value. The state publishes an annual equalization ratio for every municipality showing how close local assessments are to full market value. A town that assesses homes at only 64% of market value will show an artificially high tax rate compared to a town that assesses at 100%. Multiplying the local rate by the equalization ratio produces an effective (equalized) rate that can be fairly compared across any two towns in the state.

YearTotal RateEffective RateMunicipalLocal SchoolState Ed.County
2025$18.76$16.45$4.48$12.46$1.19$0.63

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$4,690$391
$350,000$6,566$547
$500,000$9,380$782
$750,000$14,070$1,173
$1,000,000$18,760$1,563

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $18.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. Actual tax bills depend on your property's specific assessed value and any exemptions or credits you may qualify for.

Climate & Environment

Summer Avg High
81Β°F
Winter Avg High
38.3Β°F
Annual Snowfall
44 in
Annual Rainfall
48.7 in
Sunny Days/Year
264
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5 β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
50 mi
~72 min drive
Manchester
29 mi
~38 min drive
Portsmouth
18 mi
~29 min drive
Concord
45 mi
~54 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMap β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
37/100
Trail Miles
32.7
0
Boat Launches
4
00

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:0 miles
XC Ski Trails:23 miles
0

Economy & Demographics

πŸ’°Income

Median Household Income
$87,679
Per Capita Income
$59,626
Median Family Income
$132,963

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$399,100
Median Rent
$1,372/mo
Homeownership Rate
65.68%

πŸ’ΌEmployment

Unemployment Rate
2.85%
In Labor Force
9,243

πŸŽ“Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.43%
Total with Degree
3,480

πŸ‘₯Demographics

Median Age
46.5 years
Avg Household Size
2.26 people
Data source: Census ACS 2022 (5-Year) β€’ Census Data Year: 2022 β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Compare Exeter with Other Towns

See how Exeter stacks up against other NH communities.