Is New Hampshire Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On February 27, 2022
New Hampshire, United States
Safety Index:
85
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
80
* Rated 80 / 100 based on 1 user reviews.

New Hampshire is one of the safest states in America.

One of the New England States, New Hampshire, is bordered by Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

A 2019 census says that New Hampshire had a population of 1.36 million people.

This beautiful state experiences exquisite autumns but harsh and cold winters.

The largest employers in the state are Dartmouth College, Southern New Hampshire University, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

During the summer months, you can enjoy many fairs and festivals in New Hampshire.

Comedian Adam Sandler, poet Robert Frost, and President Franklin Pierce are all from New Hampshire.

Warnings & Dangers in New Hampshire

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The overall risk in New Hampshire is very low. It is the third safest state in the United States. Locals say the southwest area of the state is the safest. If you are in New Hampshire, you have a 1/52 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. In New Hampshire, a crime occurs every eighteen minutes.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

In 2021 there were 134 fatal car accidents in the state of New Hampshire. Forty-seven of these accidents were caused by drunk drivers. New Hampshire does not make the top ten list of states with the most fatal car accidents. The leading three causes of fatal car accidents in New Hampshire are speeding, intoxication, and distracted driving.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Pickpocketing is a form of theft where someone will sneak your wallet or other valuable out of your pocket. Tourists are targeted for pickpocketing because they are usually distracted. In New Hampshire, you are not very likely to be pickpocketed. There are approximately 400,000 pickpocketing cases worldwide. Very few of those incidents are occurring in New Hampshire. You are always at more of a risk for pickpocketing at crowded events.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Severe Storms- New Hampshire is prone to severe storms during the summer and the winter. You can see rain, strong winds, and lightning during these storms. During a severe storm, you should always take cover. Floods- All of New Hampshire is a flood zone due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean. The state is prone to coastal surges and severe rain, resulting in flooding. Always have an evacuation plan in place. Winter Storms- The state of New Hampshire experiences 68' of snow annually. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare for winter storms before the winter! Prepare for power outages and have a way to heat your home. Always stay off roads during winter storms as well.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: LOW

New Hampshire experiences 2000 violent crimes every year. According to Crimegrades.org, issues are more likely to occur in populated areas. In New Hampshire, areas like the city and the airport are places where you are more likely to get mugged.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

New Hampshire is at the same risk as any other state in America. Terrorism risks do increase at events. New Hampshire is home to the ivy league school Dartmouth; if attending an event at the university, always stay aware of your surroundings. If you see something, say something.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

In 2021 the attorney general warned the citizens of New Hampshire of scammers sending out fraudulent letters saying that their identity had been stolen. Ways to avoid being scammed are: • Block all unwanted phone calls and text messages. • Don't give your personal information to someone you did not initiate a conversation with. A scammer will pretend to be from a place you know, like a government organization. If you are unsure if you are being scammed, confide in a trusted loved one and share with them.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Unfortunately, women are always at a higher risk when traveling than men. Even though New Hampshire is one of the safest states, it doesn't matter where you are if someone has bad intentions. If you are a woman traveling, you want to always take steps to ensure your safety. Some ways to do that are: • Always trust your gut. • Make sure to stay aware of your surroundings. • Spend the extra money to stay someplace safe. • Do not walk or exercise with headphones on.

Tap Water Risk

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

New Hampshire provides its residents with high-quality drinking water. 54% of the states drinking water comes from the public water system, which is occasionally monitored. 46% of the water supply comes from private wells. Well, water may contain traces of arsenic, a carcinogen. Water contamination can occur through natural and man-made sources. Naturally occurring chemicals enter the water supply from underground.

Safest Places to Visit in New Hampshire

Danville, New Hampshire, is the safest place to visit in the state.

The city has a population of 4,408.

The city’s highlight is the Museum of Printing, where the rich history of graphic arts is preserved.

The museum is open on Saturdays from 10:00 AM through 4:00 PM and has five stars on Yelp!

All of New Hampshire is relatively safe as it is far below the national average when it comes to crime.

There are many different cultural tours you can take while in New Hampshire.

There are haunted historical tours and sap-making tours.

You can go for a hike up Mount Washington in Coos County or take a bike ride through the White Mountains, which stretch into western Maine.

Places to Avoid in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, you will want to avoid Rochester.

Rochester is located in Stafford County and is the #1 most dangerous place in New Hampshire.

It is also the #3 cheapest place to live in the state.

11% of the state is living at or below the poverty level.

Manchester in Hillsborough County is the largest city in the state.

The more people in an area, the more opportunity there is for a crime which could be why Manchester is the #2 most dangerous city of 2020.

Laconia in Belknap County is the best area to avoid visiting New Hampshire.

Although this city is #3 of the most dangerous New Hampshire cities of 2020, it is also home to many fun bars and restaurants.

If you are visiting Laconia, stay safe and aware.

Safety Tips for Traveling to New Hampshire

  1. Always drink responsibly. It is okay to join in on the fun but drink responsibly. When traveling, be more vigilant about how much alcohol you consume. If you are in an unfamiliar place, drinking too much can be very dangerous. Always watch your drink when out at bars and restaurants as well as criminals can slip drugs into your beverage without you noticing.
  2. Be aware of local scams. There are many local scams that tourists can fall victim to. Criminals and scam artists may be on the streets looking for tourists to prey on, so beware of who you interact with when traveling.
  3. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Don’t boast that you are a tourist or how much money you carry on your person. You never know who may be listening. Do not wear your fanciest jewelry either, as that will draw attention to yourself.
  4. Stay in contact with your family and friends. No matter how long you plan on traveling and where you travel too, you should always stay in contact with a loved one. Send a copy of your itinerary to someone your trust and sporadically stay in contact throughout your travels.
  5. Safeguard your hotel room. Keep your windows shut and locked at all times. Always lock and deadbolt the door. You can also buy a jammer before your trip. This device goes into the door for an extra layer of protection. Place the do not disturb sign on the door and make it appear as if you are in the room even when you aren’t.
  6. Never let strangers into your room. Even if someone comes to your door saying they work at the hotel, never let them into your room. Call the front desk and verify that someone from the staff is at your door.
  7. Always buy travel insurance. Travel insurance is so important. You will be protected in case of sickness, weather, or other emergencies. You can even get property insurance for valuable items like a camera.
  8. Make a hard copy of your identification. Print out a copy of your driver’s license and passport and keep it in a safe place. If you lose your wallet and identification, it will be easier to prove you are who you say you are if you have a physical copy of your ID.
  9. Have an emergency credit card. Store an emergency credit card in a safe place in case you get pickpocketed. Also, store your cash in various pockets to ensure you always have money on you.
  10. Research. Research until you can’t anymore. Never travel to a place you know nothing about. Look up what areas are safe, what things there are to do, and any weather advisories.

So... How Safe Is New Hampshire Really?

New Hampshire ranks amongst the safest states in America.

It has a very low crime rate.

Well below the national average.

There is a low property crime rate.

Overall, New Hampshire is incredibly safe to travel to.

The most dangerous aspect of New Hampshire is its icy roads during the winter.

In New Hampshire, it is hard to avoid icy roads as the winters are known to get bone-chillingly cold.

Make sure you have the proper tires on your vehicle when driving on icy, snowy roads in New Hampshire.

The New England states, in general, have a very low crime rate.

Safewise.com says that 80% of residents in New Hampshire feel safe in their homes.

How Does New Hampshire Compare?

StateSafety Index
New Hampshire85
Kansas81
Iowa82
Idaho85
Illinois77
Indiana61
Alaska65
Colorado82
Florida70

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

You will need a Visa if you are traveling internationally to New Hampshire. In order to get a Visa, you first need to pay a fee, take acceptable photos, complete the online DS-160 form, complete the list of required documents, and finally schedule the visa interview.

Currency

Currency

New Hampshire uses US currency. Your bank or credit union is the best place to exchange the currency if you are looking to do so.

Weather

Weather

In the summer, New Hampshire reaches daily highs of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature rarely goes above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters in New Hampshire are cold and wet. The temperature stays about -4 and -15 degrees Fahrenheit during January. In 2021 the snowiest city in New Hampshire was Grovetown, with 108 inches of snow.

Airports

Airports

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is a popular and affordable airport located in the Boston/New Hampshire area. It is a cheaper option than Logan International Airport in Massachusetts. The airport is only 50 miles north of Boston. Major airlines which fly out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport are Delta, Southwest, United, and US Airways.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is important and something you should consider investing in if you are traveling to New Hampshire. A vacation is a significant investment you can't afford to lose money on. Without travel insurance, you will not get your money back in an emergency.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

New Hampshire Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -7° C
Feb -5° C
Mar 1° C
Apr 7° C
May 14° C
Jun 18° C
Jul 21° C
Aug 20° C
Sep 16° C
Oct 9° C
Nov 4° C
Dec -3° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
-1161421252827231692
Low
°C
-12-11-50611141392-2-8
High
°F
303443577077828173614836
Low
°F
101223324352575548362818

New Hampshire - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Derry79
Exeter83
Gorham77
Hampton Beach68
Hanover81
Keene76
Laconia74
LinWood78
Littleton78
Meredith79
Nashua78
North Conway76
Pembroke73
Piscataquog73
Pittsburg70
Sunapee82
West Lebanon79
Wolfeboro82

Where to Next?

1 Review on New Hampshire

  1. One of the safest state in the whole USA

    This is possibly one of the safest states in the whole USA. You really must try at least one of the haunted historical tours here, they are awesome. Even if you’re not really a fan, try it anyway. Went for a hike up Mount Washington and it was quite the view from up there.

New Hampshire Rated 4 / 5 based on 1 user reviews.

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