New Hampshire sits in the heart of New England, sharing borders with Massachusetts to the south, Maine to the east, Vermont to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Much of the state is covered in forested, mountainous terrain. New Hampshire has the proud distinction of being one of the 13 original colonies, and today its economy leans heavily on tourism, technology, and regional trade. It's also a popular destination for retirees, as the state levies no tax on earned wages and no general sales tax. New Hampshire is home to a number of well-known colleges and universities, including Dartmouth and Franklin Pierce. With only a small southeastern corner of the state having coastal access, it's no surprise that this same region — the Merrimack River Valley — holds most of the population.
No matter how you slice it, the Granite State is small. By area it's one of the smallest states in the country, and as of the 2024 Census Bureau estimate it had roughly 1.41 million residents, placing it among the less populous states. That said, New Hampshire is relatively densely settled for its size, with most residents clustered in the southern tier. Median household income here consistently ranks among the highest in the nation.
The Cities of NH
Home values in New Hampshire have climbed sharply over the past decade. As of 2025, the typical home in the state is valued at around $520,000 (Zillow), well above the national figure, though prices vary widely from the pricier lakes-and-mountains communities to the more affordable mill cities in the north and west. Most of the state's largest communities sit in the southeastern corner, within commuting distance of the Boston metro area.
Manchester
Population: roughly 116,000 (2024)
Manchester is New Hampshire's largest city, and its metropolitan area is home to a large share of the state's residents. Though modest in size, Manchester consistently ranks well in studies on affordability and quality of life, and it has grown steadily over the past few decades.
Nashua
Population: roughly 92,000 (2024)
Nashua, the state's second-largest city, has long been recognized as one of the best places to live in the country. Technology, manufacturing, and defense firms have a significant presence in and around the city, and it remains a key driver of the regional economy.
Concord
Population: roughly 45,000 (2024)
Concord is the state capital and New Hampshire's third-largest city, serving as the center of state government and a hub for the surrounding Merrimack Valley.
Picking Your Financial Institution
There are a lot of options when it comes to banking. First, you'll find the community banks, smaller institutions that were designed to serve specific neighborhoods. These banks tend to know the area very well, working closely with small businesses and residents alike. Next, you have credit unions. In a credit union, you are actually a member and an owner, and credit unions are often able to offer better or more flexible terms as they are not-for-profit.
Finally, there are large, well-known banks that have a branch close to where you live. You can't expect the same close relationship you'd get at a local bank or credit union — there are simply too many customers — but you can expect ATMs and branch locations when you travel outside the state, along with well-developed online banking and mobile apps.
Community banks with a New Hampshire presence:
- Bank of New England
- Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
- Franklin Savings Bank
- Mascoma Bank
- Meredith Village Savings Bank
- Profile Bank
Some of New Hampshire's larger credit unions:
- Service Credit Union
- Northeast Credit Union
- St. Mary's Bank
- Triangle Credit Union
- Bellwether Community Credit Union
- Granite State Credit Union
- New Hampshire Federal Credit Union
- Holy Rosary Credit Union
National banks with locations in NH:
- Citizens Bank
- TD Bank
- M&T Bank
- Bank of America
New Hampshire Home Buying Tips
For a rustic, New England lifestyle, New Hampshire offers a great location, and RateZip.com can help you find a mortgage that fits the region. Our financial search engine makes it simple to compare offers from multiple lenders, whether you're buying your first home, moving up to a bigger property, or refinancing an existing mortgage. Because rates change constantly, it's worth checking current mortgage rates before you start shopping.
First-time buyers in New Hampshire should also look into New Hampshire Housing (the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority), the state's housing finance agency. It works with participating local lenders to offer affordable mortgage programs and down-payment assistance aimed at low- and moderate-income buyers, and it services many of those loans after closing.
The most basic type of mortgage is the conventional fixed-rate loan. These are commonly originated with terms of 30, 20, or 15 years, and the interest rate stays the same throughout the life of the loan. The 30-year fixed is the most popular mortgage in New Hampshire and across the country.
Next, you have adjustable-rate mortgages, better known as ARMs. An ARM can make sense for homeowners who expect to move or refinance within a relatively short time frame. An ARM typically begins with a lower fixed rate for an introductory term; after that term ends, the rate adjusts periodically according to an index, giving you a market interest rate for the remainder of the loan.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backs VA mortgages, which are home loans for veterans and eligible service members. Though you won't get your mortgage directly from the government, the VA guarantee allows approved VA lenders to offer flexible terms that generally aren't available in the conventional market. With a VA loan, you may not need to put as much money down — sometimes nothing down — and qualifying credit requirements can be more forgiving.