New Hampshire Retirement Guide
Overall
Searching for the best places to retire in New Hampshire? The useful data and viewpoints on this site will help you learn about the best places to retire in New Hampshire, including livable 55+ retirement communities where you can “live free or die”. The Granite State had under 1.4 million population in 2021 with 20% of the population 65 or above (3 years higher than the national median(. It has the White Mountains (Mount Washington is the tallest and most ferocious mountain in the northeast U.S.) and many beautiful lakes, including world famous Lake Winnipesaukee. The largest towns in the state are Nashua and Manchester. Concord is the capital. There are many beautiful rural towns sprinkled through the state. New Hampshire can actually be a suburb of Boston in its south, and is very rugged in the north with excellent skiing and mountaineering. The Wikipedia entry for New Hampshire has more facts. Updated Aug. 2023.
New Hampshire Climate
The New Hampshire climate is called humid-continental. There are 4 seasons. Summers are mild and winters are cold with frequent snowstorm. In the north at least, big snowstorms are viewed as a good thing. Hiking in the White Mountains is very popular, and hiking poles are recommended.
Economy and Home Prices
New Hampshire’s household income in 2017-2021 was $83,449, one of the highest in the United States. Cost of living in the state is 11th highest. The statewide median home price was $451,585 in mid 2023 (Zillow.com). Prices in Manchester are much more reasonable than in Nashua, a suburb of the Boston Metro. Manchester median home price was $489,500 in mid 2023 according to the National Association of Realtors.
New Hampshire Taxes
Tax Burden: New Hampshire is a relatively tax friendly state. At 7.9%, the state ranks 7th lowest for tax burden. There is no earned income tax or sales tax.
Marginal Income Tax Rates. There is no income tax, although dividends and interest over $2400 are taxed at 5.0%. People over 65 get an additional $1200 exemption. Starting in 2024 the interest and dividends tax will be phased out in stages over the next few years.
Retirement Income Exemptions. Retirement income is not taxed.
Social security exemption. Social security is not taxed.
Sales Tax: There is no sales tax.
Property Taxes: Property taxes are high – NH has the 4th highest per-capita property taxes in the nation according to the Tax Foundation. The media property tax paid was $6097 in 2021.
Homestead Exemption. In New Hampshire, the homestead exemption for residents with very low incomes.
Estate and/or Inheritance Taxes. There is no inheritance or estate tax.
Link to NH Department of Revenue.
Certified Retirement Communities
New Hampshire does not have a certified retirement community program.
Best retirement communities in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has some picturesque small towns and cities, and the welcoming tax environment makes them even more inviting. Active adults over 50 who like outdoor activities, or who want to live close to Boston will like it here. Concord is the capital. Hampton Beach is a resort town on the Atlantic Ocean (New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any coastal U.S. state). Topretirements has profiled some NH towns that make great 55+ communities including Peterborough, the model for Thorton Wilder’s “Our Town”. An up and coming small city in the southern part of the state is Nashua, which exists on its own but also offers a convenient commute to Route 28 and Boston. Dartmouth College is the state’s most prestigious college, and it is located in the beautiful small town of Hanover. The University of New Hampshire is in the pretty town of Durham, very close to the charming old seacoast town of Portsmouth.
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