Guides / Property Taxes / New Hampshire

Property Taxes in New Hampshire

Effective Rate

New Hampshire has one of the highest average effective property tax rates in the nation. Current sources converge on a statewide average effective rate of roughly 1.5% (SmartAsset and Tax Foundation cite 1.46%-1.50%), about 1.5x the ~0.99% national average; some sources cite a higher ~1.8% median rate depending on methodology. NH ranks 4th highest by effective rate nationally, and among the top 2-3 states by property tax share of income or median dollar amount paid, because NH has no broad-based income or sales tax and relies on property tax for about 59.5% of state and local tax revenue. County effective rates range from about 1.12% (Belknap County) to 1.84% (Cheshire County).

Example: SmartAsset's current data puts New Hampshire's statewide median annual property tax payment at $6,707, one of the highest in the nation. County medians range from about $3,388 (Coos County) to $7,771 (Rockingham County), and reported bills on a $535,000 median-priced home range from about $3,070/year in low-tax towns to about $14,369/year in higher-tax municipalities.

Exemptions

Elderly Exemption (age 65+)
Amount: Varies by town: commonly $50,000 to $200,000+ off assessed value (example tiered structure: $170,000 for ages 65-74, $225,000 for ages 75-79, $275,000 for age 80+)
Optional local-option exemption under NH RSA 72:39-a/b; subject to net income limits (roughly $35,000-$50,000 for a single applicant, varies by town) and asset limits. Confirm exact figures with local assessor since each of NH's 230+ municipalities sets its own amount.
Veterans' Tax Credit
Amount: Standard statutory credit $50/year; towns may vote to raise it up to $750/year
Available to qualifying wartime veterans, spouses, or surviving spouses under NH RSA 72:28; applied as a direct credit against the tax bill rather than a reduction in assessed value.
Full Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans
Amount: 100% exemption of property tax on the home
For veterans with a service-connected 100% permanent disability (or individual unemployability), or paraplegia/double amputation from service, where the home was acquired or adapted with VA assistance.

New Hampshire has no traditional statewide homestead exemption; instead it relies on optional, locally-adopted exemptions (elderly, disabled, blind, veterans) that each town or city may or may not adopt, setting its own dollar amounts and income/asset thresholds — so identical exemption categories can vary enormously or be unavailable depending on municipality. Always verify current-year figures with the local town/city assessor. Key sources: Tax Foundation (taxfoundation.org/location/new-hampshire/), SmartAsset NH Property Tax Calculator, NH Dept. of Revenue Administration (revenue.nh.gov), and April 2026 NHPR reporting on statewide rate/tax-base variation.

Facts on this page reflect research current as of 2026-07-05. Programs, rates, and laws change — confirm current figures with the relevant state agency before relying on them.

Related Resources
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