Located in the New England region of the United States, New Hampshire is home to 1.3 million residents. The state is the 5th smallest and 9th least populated U.S. state, with its largest city being Manchester and its capital being Concord. New Hampshire has neither a general sales tax nor a state or local income tax and it is noted for its extensive granite formations. The state has many large ski resorts in the White Mountains, hosts a portion of the Appalachian Trail, and is known for its many quality educational institutions. If you’d like to make The Granite State your next home, here are the 15 safest cities in New Hampshire so that you can make an informed choice.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 196 for violent crime and 1,963 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 Merrimack
Located in Hillsborough County, the town of Merrimack is home to 25,400 residents. The community was incorporated in 1746, consists of four villages, and has several major employers that include PC Connection, Brookstone, Fidelity Investments, and Anheuser-Busch. Merrimack is the safest place to live in New Hampshire, with a violent crime rate of 23.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just .08%.
#2 Amherst
Another town in Hillsborough County, Amherst is home to 11,200 residents. The community began as a land grant to soldiers in the early 1700’s, has several historic properties, and is the site of Hodgman State Forest and the Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate here is 35.6, and residents of Amherst have a 1.9% chance of being affected by property crime.
#3 Bedford
Also located in Hillsborough County, the town of Bedford is home to 21,200 residents. Considered a suburb of Manchester, the community encompasses 33.1 square miles and is the site of Segway as well as several thriving retail centers. The violent crime rate in Bedford is 37.6, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.8%.
#4 Goffstown
Goffstown is another Hillsborough County town that has a current population of 17,600 residents. The community was incorporated in 1761, covers 37.5 square miles, and is home to both Saint Anselm College and the New Hampshire State Prison for Women. The violent crime rate here is 45.1, and residents of Goffstown have a 1.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#5 Pelham
Located in Hillsborough County, the town of Pelham is home to 12,800 residents. The community was settled in 1722, sits between Salem and Nashua, and is the site of the Abbott Bridge, the state’s oldest double-arched stone bridge. The violent crime rate in Pelham is 84.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime is 1.6%.
#6 Hanover
A town in Grafton County, Hanover is home to 11,200 residents. The community sits along the banks of the Connecticut River, hosts a section of the Appalachian Trail, and is the site of both Dartmouth College and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers laboratory. The violent crime rate here is 97.6, and residents of Hanover have a 2% chance of being affected by property crime.
#7 Londonderry
Located in Rockingham County, the town of Londonderry is home to 24,100 residents. Considered a southern suburb of Manchester, the community is known for its many apple orchards and is the site of the headquarters of both Stoneyfield Farm and Blue Seal Feeds. The violent crime rate in Londonderry is 103.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.6%.
#8 Windham
Another town in Rockingham County, Windham is home to 13,500 residents. The community lies between Manchester and Boston, covers 27.9 square miles, and is known for its historic properties including the Searles Castle. The violent crime here is 109.8, and residents of Windham have a 1% chance of being affected by property crime.
#9 Exeter
Also located in Rockingham County, the town of Exeter has a current population of 14,300 residents. The community sits at the confluence of the Exeter and Squamscott rivers and is home to both SIG Sauer Inc. as well as Phillips Exeter Academy, a private university prep school. The violent crime rate in Exeter is 111.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1%.
#10 Dover
A city in Strafford County, Dover is home to 30,600 residents. Also the county seat, the community was settled in 1623, covers 29 square miles, and is the site of a large hospital as well as the Woodman Institute Museum and the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. The violent crime rate here is 119.1, and residents of Dover have a 2% chance of being affected by property crime.
#11 Hudson
Located in Hillsborough County, the town of Hudson is home to 24,400 residents. The community sits opposite the city of Nashua along the banks of the Merrimack River, and its largest employers include the Hudson School District, Benchmark Electronics, and BAE Systems. The violent crime rate in Hudson is 122.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.7%.
#12 Salem
A city in Rockingham County, Salem has a current population of 28,700 residents. First settled in 1652, the community covers 25.9 square miles and is home to a large mall as well as Canobie Lake Park and the America’s Stonehenge attraction. The violent crime rate here is 131.4, and residents of Salem have a 3.1% chance of being affected by property crime.
#13 Durham
Located in Strafford County, the town of Durham is home to 14,600 residents. The community sits at the mouth of the Oyster River, has several historic properties, and is the site of the University of New Hampshire. The violent crime rate in Durham is 142.7, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just .07%.
#14 Hampton
A town in Rockingham County, Hampton is home to 14,900 residents. This coastal community is the site of a popular beach destination called Hampton Beach, and the town is drained by both the Drakes and Hampton rivers. The violent crime rate here is 161.2, and residents of Hampton have a 2% chance of being affected by property crime.
#15 Portsmouth
Also located in Rockingham County, the city of Portsmouth is home to 21,200 residents. Considered a historic seaport, the community is a popular tourist destination in the warmer months, and major employers here include Hospital Corporation of America, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and the National Passport Center. The violent crime rate in Portsmouth is 163.1, and residents here have a 3.1% chance of being affected by property crime.
