Milford

Hillsborough Countyβ€’Merrimack Valleyβ€’Population: 16,131

Overview

Milford exemplifies classic New England small-town charm while providing convenient access to Nashua and Manchester. Located in Hillsborough County along the Souhegan River, Milford's historic downtown features the distinctive Milford Oval, surrounded by local shops, restaurants, and the historic town hall. The town successfully balances preservation of its historic character with modern development and excellent services.

Milford's school system serves about 2,500 students and consistently ranks well statewide, attracting families seeking quality education in a small-town setting. The town offers excellent recreational opportunities, including the Souhegan River for fishing and kayaking, numerous conservation areas, and the popular Keyes Memorial Park. Milford's location along Route 101 provides convenient access to employment centers while maintaining a distinct community identity.

The town's housing market offers variety, from historic homes around the Oval to newer developments throughout Milford. The combination of good schools, charming downtown, and convenient location makes Milford attractive to families and professionals. With active community organizations, year-round events, and a strong sense of place, Milford provides an authentic New England small-town experience with modern convenience.

Pros & Cons

βœ“ Pros

  • β€’Historic downtown
  • β€’Good schools
  • β€’Community events
  • β€’Granite heritage

βœ— Cons

  • β€’Higher taxes
  • β€’Limited nightlife
  • β€’Commute distance

Cost of Owning Here

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

2025 Local Tax Rate
$25.93
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$16.28
Equalization ratio: 63%
Municipal
$6.06
Local School
$16.98
State Education
$1.51
County
$1.38

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$25.93$16.28$6.06$16.98$1.51$1.38

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$6,483$540
$350,000$9,076$756
$500,000$12,965$1,080
$750,000$19,448$1,621
$1,000,000$25,930$2,161

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $25.93 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
81.6Β°F
Winter Avg High
38Β°F
Annual Snowfall
47.2 in
Annual Rainfall
50.4 in
Sunny Days/Year
266
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5 β€’ Updated 7/4/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
51 mi
~82 min drive
Manchester
17 mi
~35 min drive
Portsmouth
62 mi
~89 min drive
Concord
33 mi
~55 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMap β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Safety & Crime

Safety Score
8/10
Crime Rate
8.06/1,000
Crime Trend
stable
Data source: FBI Crime Data Explorer - https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/ β€’ Updated 8/12/2026

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
40/100
Trail Miles
50.9
0
Boat Launches
2
State Parks
1
0

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:10 miles
XC Ski Trails:0 miles
Campgrounds:1

Economy & Demographics

πŸ’°Income

Median Household Income
$84,912
Per Capita Income
$44,519
Median Family Income
$117,298

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$332,300
Median Rent
$1,242/mo
Homeownership Rate
62.28%

πŸ’ΌEmployment

Unemployment Rate
3.72%
In Labor Force
9,200
Work From Home
0.23%

πŸŽ“Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
17.78%
Total with Degree
2,015

πŸš—Commute

Work From Home
0.23%

πŸ‘₯Demographics

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

Compare Milford with Other Towns

See how Milford stacks up against other NH communities.