#1 in NH
Merrimack County
70.1
Overall score
Open county reportState rankings
Best Counties to Live in New Hampshire
Compare counties in New Hampshire by overall score, affordability, economy, schools, safety, taxes, and peace & quiet. Rankings are public-data estimates for comparison and research.
#2 in NH
Carroll County
69.8
Overall score
Open county report#3 in NH
Rockingham County
69.4
Overall score
Open county report#4 in NH
Grafton County
68.9
Overall score
Open county report#5 in NH
Cheshire County
68
Overall score
Open county reportCategory highlights
Quick entry points for common county search priorities.
All New Hampshire counties
Showing 10 counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merrimack County FIPS 33013 | 70.1 | 84.8 | 35.6 | 93.8 | 99.9 | 23.1 | 77.9 | $483,959 | $97,004 |
| 2 | Carroll County FIPS 33003 | 69.8 | 84.8 | 21.3 | 94.8 | 98.7 | 58.2 | 73.3 | $496,497 | $86,463 |
| 3 | Rockingham County FIPS 33015 | 69.4 | 83.5 | 32.5 | 98.1 | 100 | 29.5 | 55.9 | $619,521 | $118,331 |
| 4 | Grafton County FIPS 33009 | 68.9 | 80.5 | 33.6 | 96 | 99.3 | 23.2 | 80 | $423,252 | $88,261 |
| 5 | Cheshire County FIPS 33005 | 68 | 77.8 | 43.2 | 85.8 | 100 | 15 | 81.4 | $380,746 | $83,329 |
| 6 | Strafford County FIPS 33017 | 64.3 | 78.6 | 24.4 | 88.8 | 99.7 | 25.9 | 64.7 | $500,025 | $88,570 |
| 7 | Belknap County FIPS 33001 | 59.8 | 85 | 23.5 | 85.1 | 52.2 | 43.9 | 68.4 | $505,416 | $92,783 |
| 8 | Hillsborough County FIPS 33011 | 58.7 | 82.3 | 33.1 | 86.3 | 48.1 | 25.4 | 56.2 | $517,338 | $103,545 |
| 9 | Coos County FIPS 33007 | 58.2 | 64.9 | 48.3 | 66.5 | 69 | 22.1 | 80.3 | $251,611 | $57,677 |
| 10 | Sullivan County FIPS 33019 | 57.6 | 76 | 40.1 | 75.9 | 52 | 17.6 | 77.1 | $378,842 | $80,858 |