Moving to New Hampshire: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to New Hampshire, you’re not alone. The Granite State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Manchester and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about New Hampshire, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to New Hampshire to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in New Hampshire
Like any big move, relocating to New Hampshire comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Granite State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in NH
- ✓Natural beauty
- ✓Tranquil
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓No sales tax
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
Cons of living in NH
- ✖Long harsh winters
- ✖Limited diversity
- ✖Heavy traffic
- ✖Few urban amenities
- ✖High cost of living
Things to do in New Hampshire
Whether you’re moving to New Hampshire work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, New Hampshire has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in New Hampshire
- Mount Washington Auto Road
- Conway Scenic Railroad
- Castle in the Clouds
- Hampton Beach
- Lakes Region
- Mount Monadnock
- Polar Caves Park
- Kancamagus Highway
- Franconia Notch State Park
- Winnipesaukee
Museums in New Hampshire
- Strawbery Banke Museum
- Currier Museum of Art
- USS Albacore Museum
- Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center
- Wright Museum of WWII
- Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
- SEE Science Center
- Millyard Museum
- Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium
- Portsmouth Historical Society’s Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center
Parks in New Hampshire
- Mine Falls Park
- Prescott Park
- Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves
- Livingston Park
- Cascade Park
- Benson Park
- Swasey Parkway
- Moose Brook State Park
- Great Island Common
- Greeley Park
Fun facts about New Hampshire
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about New Hampshire, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The state is named New Hampshire after the Hampshire County in England.
- The state is nicknamed “The Granite State” because granite from the state was supplied for building structures mainly in Boston and Washington D.C., and many other small towns.
- The state’s motto is “Live Free or Die.” The state declared its independence from England in Exeter on January 5, 1776. It was the ninth state to ratify the constitution.
- In 1776, New Hampshire became the first colony to create a constitution and declare its independence from Great Britain.
- Ground winds as high as 231 miles an hour were recorded atop the peaks of Mount Washington on April 12, 1934. This remained a world record until 1996. The wind speeds are comparable to winds in Category 5 hurricanes and F4 tornadoes.
- More than four-fifths of the state is forested. After Maine, it is the second-most forested state in the U.S.
- The first potato grown in the United States was planted in New Hampshire in 1719.
- New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any U.S. state. The coastline is just 18 miles long.
- The world’s first totally tax-supported public library was established in Peterborough in 1833.
- New Hampshire is one of the thirteen original colonies. It was initially named “North Virginia,” then “New England” and finally “New Hampshire.”
- he fourteenth president of the United States—Franklin Pierce—was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire.
New Hampshire population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to New Hampshire, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Granite State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in New Hampshire, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,402,054 |
| Female | 50.1% |
| Male | 49.9% |
| College graduation rate | 40.98% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 50.8-48.1 |
| Crime index | 11.37 |
New Hampshire weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether New Hampshire is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if New Hampshire aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 80ºF |
| Winter low | 9ºF |
| Annual rain | 46″ |
| Annual snow | 68″ |
Income and cost of living in New Hampshire
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in New Hampshire.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in New Hampshire and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($12.2 billion)
- Professional and business services ($11 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($9.8 billion)
- Manufacturing ($9.7 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($6.8 billion)
- Retail trade ($5.5 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($5.4 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($4.4 billion)
- Information ($3.3 billion)
- Construction ($2.6 billion)
| Metric | New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,336 |
| Average home cost | $478,955 |
| Average income (per capita) | $90,845 |
| Cost of living index* | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.1% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 4.0% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in New Hampshire
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what New Hampshire has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in New Hampshire:
- Dartmouth College
- University of New Hampshire
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Plymouth State University
- Saint Anselm College
- Keene State College
- New England College
- Rivier University
- Colby-Sawyer College
- Franklin Pierce University
- Granite State College
- Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
- Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to New Hampshire
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Granite State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to NH
- Arkansas to NH
- Arizona to NH
- California to NH
- Colorado to NH
- Connecticut to NH
- Delaware to NH
- Florida to NH
- Georgia to NH
- Iowa to NH
- Idaho to NH
- Illinois to NH
- Indiana to NH
- Kansas to NH
- Kentucky to NH
- Louisiana to NH
- Massachusetts to NH
- Maryland to NH
- Maine to NH
- Michigan to NH
- Minnesota to NH
- Missouri to NH
- Mississippi to NH
- Montana to NH
- North Carolina to NH
- North Dakota to NH
- Nebraska to NH
- New Jersey to NH
- New Mexico to NH
- Nevada to NH
- New York to NH
- Ohio to NH
- Oklahoma to NH
- Oregon to NH
- Pennsylvania to NH
- Rhode Island to NH
- South Carolina to NH
- South Dakota to NH
- Tennessee to NH
- Texas to NH
- Utah to NH
- Virginia to NH
- Vermont to NH
- Washington to NH
- Wisconsin to NH
- West Virginia to NH
- Wyoming to NH
Cost of moving to New Hampshire
Before you take the leap to New Hampshire, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to New Hampshire
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to New Hampshire.
New Hampshire car insurance requirements
New Hampshire drivers license requirements
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