The 6 Most Expensive Mountain Towns in New Hampshire to Buy a Second Home

The White Mountains cover around 25% of New Hampshire. Within that mountain range, five wilderness areas cover around 134,000 acres, and many resort towns dot the White Mountain National Forest. Finding suitable mountain towns for vacation homes is easy, but some are far more expensive than others. Six are on our list of the most expensive mountain towns in New Hampshire for owning a second home.

According to the New Hampshire Housing Market Report, average home prices increased by 36% between 2020 and 2022, with a median price of $425,000 in April 2022. Almost 37% of home purchases were investment properties and second homes. Housing prices are even higher in 2023, as Zillow reports the average home cost is $449,799. Head into the costly mountain towns, and it’s not unheard of to have prices topping half a million. Here are the six towns where you’ll find the most expensive vacation homes.

6. Newbury ($524,807)

Expect to pay over the $524,807 average to purchase a New Hampshire vacation home in Newbury. Tiny summer cottages are your most affordable option, but waterfront properties and second homes closer to The Fells cost well over the average.

Newbury is close to both Mount Sunapee and Lake Sunapee for fishing and hiking. Plus, there’s Chalk Pond, which prohibits motorized watercraft making it popular with swimmers. The town is also home to The Fells, Former Secretary of State John Milton Hay’s historic estate. The Fells covers 83.5 acres with nature trails, several gardens, and artwork within this historic home all attracting visitors.

5. Franconia ($534,807)

Franconia’s average home price of $534,807 makes it the fifth most expensive area for a second home. Finding a home for sale in Franconia is a challenge, land may be your best option. As of October 30, 2023, only one home is available for sale in the town, and it’s well over the average price.

The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway climbs to the 4,100-foot mountain summit, and it’s been in operation since 1938. The ski resort and tram are reasons Franconia is a popular resort town. Hikers have Cannon Mountain, Mount Lafayette, and Mount Lincoln available.

Cannon Mountain is home to the former “Old Man on the Mountain,” a rocky outcrop that resembled a man’s face. Unfortunately, erosion led to the rock’s collapse in 2003. Franconia Notch State Park’s trails bring you to viewing points to see what remains of the cliff face.

4. Jackson ($586,473)

Unless you want to buy land and build your own vacation home, Jackson’s average home price of $586,473 is a bit low compared to current real estate listings. Several three-bedroom mountain homes are available at $900,000 to $1 million.

Jackson is a charming town close to the Black Mountain Ski Area, the outlet shopping in North Conway, and activities on Mount Washington. At least once in your lifetime, it’s worth the 30-mile drive to reach the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Take the train up to the peak of Mount Washington, which passes three three climate zones in one trip, and experience some of the strongest winds in New England.

3. Holderness ($586,842)

Zillow lists the average home price in Holderness as $586,842. Current listings, however, are far over that and in the millions. Waterfront homes on Squam Lake cost the most and typically run upwards of $10 million. It’s a gorgeous area, but land is the more affordable option.

Holderness is the largest town on Squam Lake, which makes it a popular tourist destination. One reason for that is that the expansive lake has many fingers surrounded by marshes and forests. Due to the natural surroundings and hiding places, loons are common. The movie “On Golden Pond” was filmed in Holderness.

2. Sugar Hill ($594,528)

Housing in Sugar Hill is expensive, but it’s a town bordering the White Mountain National Forest, with views of four mountain ranges from most of the town. Incorporated in 1962, it’s one of New Hampshire’s newest towns. The average home price is $594,528, but the limited inventory finds many homes priced well over that.

The town earned its name from the number of sugar maples in the area and its location on the top of Sunset Hill Ridge. The area started as a resort destination for travelers looking to relax, ski, bowl, take carriage rides to Franconia Notch, and play golf in the Sunset Hill House Golf Course that opened in 1897. Actress Bette Davis fell in love with the area and purchased Butternut Cottage, her own vacation home in Sugar Hill.

1. New London ($606,611)

New London is New Hampshire’s most expensive mountain town for a second home. With an average home price of $606,611, vacationers are going to find it difficult to find more than land for less than $500,000.

For recreation, there are several lakes, including Lake Sunapee and Little Sunapee Lake, and rivers within the town. Anglers catch lake trout, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch in the area’s waterways. For art enthusiasts, New London Barn Playhouse opened in 1933 and puts on a range of productions each summer, making it one of the state’s oldest continuously operating summer theaters.

New Hampshire’s Six Most Expensive Mountain Towns

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