Exeter 90 Exceptional
Exeter Livability #1 ranked city in New Hampshire#75 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Exeter

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    There are no cons identified for this area, as none of the categories received a poor score.

What's it like Living in Exeter?

Exeter is a small city located in the state of New Hampshire. The city has a population of 9,649 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 92% of Exeter residents are White, 3% Asian and 0% Black.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Exeter, New Hampshire. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Exeter, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, education, housing and more.

Exeter, NH receives 88/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #3 in New Hampshire and #180 in the USA. Clearly, Exeter is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Exeter has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Exeter has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (A+), crime (A+), education (A-), employment (A-) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Exeter, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (F).

If you're living in Exeter, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Exeter an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Exeter has a violent crime rate of 37 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Exeter, the unemployment rate stands at 1.6%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Exeter market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Exeter. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Exeter are affordable. Median real estate prices in Exeter come in at $428,834, which is 0.1% lower than the New Hampshire average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Exeter, the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 0% lower than the New Hampshire average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Exeter

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      Exeter transportation information

      Statistic Exeter New Hampshire National
      Average one way commute22min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.6%81.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.8%7.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%0.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.9%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home8.0%6.1%4.6%
      Source: The Exeter, NH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.