Carroll County scores 65.5, placing it in the 81st percentile nationally and well above the national median of 50.0. The county outperforms 80% of U.S. counties on overall livability measures.
2 / 5
New Hampshire's second-best county
Carroll ranks second among New Hampshire's ten counties, trailing only one peer, with a score of 65.5 versus the state average of 58.3. It represents the state's second-strongest livability profile.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and strong health outcomes
Carroll boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 1.056% and a tax score of 72.6, paired with excellent health outcomes (77.5). Housing remains affordable at $348,900 median home value and $1,179 monthly rent.
4 / 5
Income growth remains a constraint
Carroll's income score of 37.5 reflects a median household income of $82,961, below state and national benchmarks. The county's main livability weakness centers on earning potential and wealth-building opportunities.
5 / 5
Ideal for tax-conscious rural seekers
Carroll County best suits families and retirees who value low taxes, healthy communities, and rural mountain living over high incomes. It's perfect for professionals working remotely or individuals with stable pensions seeking New Hampshire's most tax-friendly county.
Carroll County scores 65.5, placing it in the 81st percentile nationally and well above the national median of 50.0. The county outperforms 80% of U.S. counties on overall livability measures.
New Hampshire's second-best county
Carroll ranks second among New Hampshire's ten counties, trailing only one peer, with a score of 65.5 versus the state average of 58.3. It represents the state's second-strongest livability profile.
Lowest taxes and strong health outcomes
Carroll boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 1.056% and a tax score of 72.6, paired with excellent health outcomes (77.5). Housing remains affordable at $348,900 median home value and $1,179 monthly rent.
Income growth remains a constraint
Carroll's income score of 37.5 reflects a median household income of $82,961, below state and national benchmarks. The county's main livability weakness centers on earning potential and wealth-building opportunities.
Ideal for tax-conscious rural seekers
Carroll County best suits families and retirees who value low taxes, healthy communities, and rural mountain living over high incomes. It's perfect for professionals working remotely or individuals with stable pensions seeking New Hampshire's most tax-friendly county.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛72.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Carroll County's effective tax rate of 1.056% ranks in the 58th percentile nationally, below the nation's 0.81% median. Despite higher home values here, residents pay a median tax of just $3,685—well above the national norm of $2,690.
New Hampshire's most affordable tax rate
Carroll County claims the lowest effective tax rate among all 10 New Hampshire counties at 1.056%, significantly below the state average of 1.852%. Its median tax bill of $3,685 is the second-lowest in the state, offering meaningful savings for residents.
North Country breaks state tax mold
Carroll outpaces neighboring Coos County (2.070%) and Grafton County (1.884%) by a substantial margin. This combination of northern location and low tax rate makes Carroll an outlier among New Hampshire's tax-conscious counties.
On a $349,000 home: less than $3,700
The typical Carroll County home valued at $348,900 generates an estimated annual tax of $3,685. With a mortgage, that rises to $3,729; without one, it falls to $3,606.
Even the lowest rates leave room for appeals
Carroll County residents who believe their homes are overassessed can file appeals with local assessors to potentially lower their valuations. This strategy can yield savings regardless of the county's favorable baseline rate.
Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% matches the national affordability benchmark and beats New Hampshire's 17.7% state average. The median household income of $82,961 is 11% above the national median, giving residents more flexibility than typical American renters.
Carroll ranks middle of the pack statewide
Carroll County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio places it slightly better than the state average of 17.7%, though it trails the most affordable counties like Coos and Belknap. Among New Hampshire's eight counties, Carroll offers solid but unremarkable affordability.
Similar rents, lower incomes than Belknap
Carroll's median rent of $1,179/month nearly matches Belknap County's $1,184, but Carroll residents earn about $5,000 less annually. Both counties offer comparable value to renters, though Belknap's higher incomes provide slightly better long-term financial stability.
Balanced housing costs across tenures
Renters pay $1,179/month while homeowners spend $1,278/month—the smallest gap among most New Hampshire counties. At median income of $82,961, housing takes up roughly 17% of household earnings, leaving comfortable margin for savings and other needs.
Carroll works for budget-aware relocators
Carroll County offers steady affordability without premium pricing, making it ideal for renters and first-time homebuyers in New Hampshire. Consider comparing it with Belknap (slightly better income) or Coos (significantly lower housing costs) depending on your income and lifestyle priorities.
Carroll County's median household income of $82,961 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by approximately $8,200. This upper-middle-income standing reflects a stable regional economy with broad earning opportunity.
Sixth among New Hampshire counties
Carroll County ranks sixth statewide with a median household income of $82,961, sitting below the state average of $86,521 by about $3,500. The gap narrows to the state average when considering per capita income, where Carroll's $49,562 surpasses the state at $47,027.
Outearned by Belknap, ahead of Cheshire
Carroll households earn $5,000 less than Belknap County ($87,983) but $1,960 more than Cheshire County ($81,001). The county's strong per capita income of $49,562 suggests diverse earning households and economic resilience.
Rent claims 17% of household earnings
Carroll's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% indicates sustainable housing costs relative to income. The median home value of $348,900 aligns with household earning power, creating stable conditions for homeownership.
Opportunity in consistent earning
Carroll's solid per capita income suggests multiple earners and stable employment across households. This foundation supports consistent savings habits, retirement planning, and investment in education or small business ventures.
Carroll County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 79.3 years, about 0.5 years above the U.S. average of 78.8 years. Only 13.7% report fair or poor health, beating the national average of 12%, indicating strong baseline health across the county.
Above New Hampshire's average
Carroll County's 79.3-year life expectancy ranks above New Hampshire's state average of 78.3 years, placing it in the healthier half of the state. This advantage reflects a population with better chronic disease management and access to preventive care.
Strong performance in region
Carroll County's 79.3 years matches Merrimack County but trails Grafton (80.1) and Rockingham (80.5) counties in the state. Its life expectancy notably exceeds struggling Belknap County (77.4) and Coos County (73.9), showing Carroll's relative health advantage.
Uninsured rate outpaces state
Carroll County's uninsured rate of 8.3% is the highest we've examined and exceeds the state average of 6.7%, leaving roughly 8 in 100 residents without coverage. However, the county offers strong primary care access at 82 providers per 100K, though mental health support lags at 277 providers per 100K.
Close the coverage gap
With one of the state's highest uninsured rates, Carroll residents should prioritize checking health insurance options during open enrollment or qualifying life events. Marketplace plans may offer subsidies that make coverage affordable for your household.
Carroll County's composite risk score of 70.96 places it slightly above the national average of 69.89 in the "Relatively Low" category. This means residents experience natural disaster exposure comparable to many U.S. counties, with some elevated flood and hurricane concerns.
Mid-Range Risk Among NH Counties
Carroll County ranks fourth among New Hampshire's eight counties with a score of 70.96, sitting just above the state average of 69.89. Its position reflects moderate but not extreme exposure to natural hazards.
Riskier Than Belknap, Safer Than Grafton
Carroll ranks between its neighboring Belknap County (57.38) and Grafton County (81.77), with a notably higher flood risk of 82.00 than Belknap's 70.32. Its proximity to coastal and riverine areas elevates water-related hazards above other nearby counties.
Floods and Hurricanes Lead Threats
Carroll County faces exceptional flood risk at 82.00 and hurricane risk at 86.40, among the state's highest for both hazards. These elevated scores reflect the county's mountain terrain and Atlantic-influenced weather patterns, requiring proactive preparation.
Get Comprehensive Flood and Wind Coverage
Carroll County residents need robust flood insurance and hurricane-resistant homeowners policies given the twin threats of 82.00 flood risk and 86.40 hurricane risk. Standard policies often exclude flood damage, so separate coverage is essential.