CountyScore

Rockingham County

New Hampshire · NH

#6 in New Hampshire
56.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Rockingham County, New Hampshire

Rockingham solidly above national average

Rockingham County scores 56.4, 13% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. The county performs better than most U.S. counties across multiple livability dimensions.

Upper-middle tier for New Hampshire

Rockingham ranks third among ten New Hampshire counties, scoring 56.4 versus the state average of 58.3. The county provides strong livability despite trailing only Carroll and Belknap.

Highest incomes and best health outcomes

Rockingham boasts the state's highest median household income at $113,927 and exceptional health outcomes (83.1)—the highest in the state. These dual strengths create excellent quality of life for affluent households.

Housing costs test affordability

Despite high incomes, median home values of $461,400 and monthly rents of $1,619—both state peaks—create significant housing cost burdens. Affordability (46.5 cost score) represents the county's primary livability weakness.

Ideal for wealthy Boston-area professionals

Rockingham County best suits high-income professionals and executives earning $110,000+ who can absorb premier housing costs in exchange for proximity to Massachusetts job markets, excellent health care, and low environmental risk. It's New Hampshire's most affluent county.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax56.5Cost46.5SafetyComing SoonHealth83.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome57.7Risk14.2WaterComing Soon
🏛56.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠46.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼57.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Rockingham County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Parmer County
Texas
56.4
Median income: $68,164
Riverside County
California
56.3
Median income: $89,672
Santa Barbara County
California
56.5
Median income: $95,977
Allegany County
New York
56.3
Median income: $61,233
Oswego County
New York
56.5
Median income: $68,461

Deep Dives

Rockingham County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Rockingham County

via TaxByCounty

Rockingham's taxes reflect premium real estate

Rockingham County's effective tax rate of 1.628% ranks in the 63rd percentile nationally, double the nation's median of 0.81%. The median tax bill of $7,512 leads all New Hampshire counties and more than triples the national median of $2,690, driven by the state's highest median home values.

Highest tax bills in New Hampshire

Rockingham County's 1.628% rate ranks sixth among 10 New Hampshire counties, below the state average of 1.852%. However, its median tax bill of $7,512 is the state's highest, reflecting the county's exceptional median home value of $461,400—far above any peer.

Seacoast dominance in property values

Rockingham's 1.628% rate is lower than Merrimack County's 2.002% to the west and Hillsborough County's 1.762% to the northwest. Yet its seacoast location commands median home values significantly exceeding all neighboring counties.

On a $461,000 home: over $7,500

The typical Rockingham County home valued at $461,400 generates an estimated annual tax of $7,512. With a mortgage, that rises to $7,702; without one, it falls to $7,163.

Premium properties demand assessment review

Rockingham County's premium seacoast properties deserve rigorous assessment appeals, as even small percentage reductions translate to significant savings. Professional appraisals comparing your home to recent sales can provide strong documentation for appeals.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rockingham County

via CostByCounty

Rockingham commands premium prices, offers premium incomes

Rockingham County's median household income of $113,927—the nation's 52% above average—supports a 17.1% rent-to-income ratio and median rent of $1,619/month that would burden most Americans. This coastal county's high-earning residents sustain the region's premium housing market.

Rockingham balances prestige and affordability

Rockingham County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks fourth-best in New Hampshire despite the state's second-highest median rent of $1,619/month. This paradox reflects Rockingham's exceptional income levels—the highest in the state—that offset steep housing costs.

Premium pricing for premium incomes

Rockingham's median income of $113,927 outearns all other New Hampshire counties by 15-60%, supporting its median home value of $461,400—the state's highest. Even Hillsborough County, with $385,500 homes, trails Rockingham's prestige and earning power.

Highest absolute housing costs in the state

Renters spend $1,619/month and homeowners $2,109/month—New Hampshire's steepest absolute costs—but median income of $113,927 provides ample cushion. Housing consumes roughly 17% of household earnings, reasonable despite the high dollar amounts involved.

Rockingham for high earners and coastal living

Rockingham County delivers New Hampshire's strongest job market and highest incomes, justified by premium coastal location and earning opportunities. If your income approaches or exceeds $113,927, Rockingham's affordability ratio becomes competitive; otherwise, inland counties like Merrimack offer better value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rockingham County

via IncomeByCounty

Rockingham ranks among nation's richest

Rockingham County's median household income of $113,927 towers 52% above the national median of $74,755, placing it among the most affluent counties in America. This exceptional earning power reflects strong professional employment and proximity to Boston's economic influence.

New Hampshire's wealthiest county

Rockingham leads all New Hampshire counties with a median household income of $113,927, far exceeding the state average of $86,521 by $27,406. The per capita income of $59,710 is also the state's highest, demonstrating broad affluence across all income levels.

Outearns all peers by significant margin

Rockingham households earn $25,944 more than Hillsborough ($100,436), $39,986 more than Merrimack ($93,944), and $29,906 more than Belknap ($87,983). The county's income advantage is unmatched among New Hampshire's ten counties.

Housing costs at 17.1%, highly manageable

Despite the state's highest median home value of $461,400, Rockingham's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% is excellent, reflecting extraordinary household earning power. High incomes absorb housing costs while leaving substantial resources for savings and wealth building.

Sophisticated wealth-building strategies pay off

Rockingham's exceptional incomes support advanced investment strategies including stock portfolios, real estate ventures, and business ownership. Households should work with financial advisors to optimize tax efficiency and compound wealth across multiple generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rockingham County

via HealthByCounty

Rockingham leads in U.S. longevity

Rockingham County residents live an average of 80.5 years, 1.7 years above the U.S. average of 78.8 years, placing the county among America's healthiest. Only 12.1% report fair or poor health, matching and slightly exceeding the national average of 12%, reflecting excellent disease prevention and management.

New Hampshire's second-healthiest

Rockingham County's 80.5-year life expectancy is 2.2 years above New Hampshire's state average of 78.3 years, ranking it among the state's top performers. This premium reflects sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and a health-engaged population.

Top performer in region

Rockingham County's 80.5 years slightly edges out Grafton County (80.1) for the highest life expectancy among the eight counties examined. The two-county gap to Merrimack and Carroll shows Rockingham's commanding health advantage, and the 6.6-year gap to Coos County illustrates the state's profound disparities.

Best insurance access statewide

Rockingham County boasts the state's lowest uninsured rate at 4.9%—2.4 percentage points better than the state average of 6.7%—meaning nearly every resident has health coverage. The county provides 79 primary care providers per 100K and 320 mental health providers per 100K.

Rockingham's coverage advantage

Rockingham County's exceptional health outcomes reflect the highest insurance enrollment rates in the state—a model other regions should follow. If you're among the rare 4.9% uninsured, visiting healthcare.gov now can connect you to affordable plans that match this county's health-first culture.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rockingham County

via RiskByCounty

Rockingham County Well Above Average Risk

Rockingham County's composite risk score of 85.85 significantly exceeds the national average of 69.89, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" category. Residents face substantially higher natural disaster exposure than most American counties.

Second-Riskiest County in State

Rockingham County ranks second-highest in disaster risk among New Hampshire's eight counties with a composite score of 85.85, trailing only Hillsborough (89.76). It substantially exceeds the state average of 69.89 in nearly every hazard category.

Much Riskier Than Western Counties

Rockingham (85.85) dramatically exceeds Belknap (57.38) and Cheshire (60.50) counties to the west. Its coastal location drives exceptional flood (92.80) and hurricane (83.77) scores, while inland neighbors face lower exposure.

Floods, Tornadoes, and Earthquakes Converge

Rockingham County experiences the state's highest flood risk at 92.80, plus severe tornado (73.54) and earthquake (87.53) risks, all well above national averages. Hurricane risk of 83.77 compounds these converging threats unique to its coastal location.

Multi-Hazard Insurance Is Essential

Rockingham County residents must obtain comprehensive flood insurance (92.80 risk), earthquake coverage (87.53 risk), and tornado/wind protection (73.54 risk) as top priorities. Given the convergence of hazards, consult a local agent to eliminate coverage gaps.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.