Bedford vs Londonderry NH: Which Town Fits You Better in 2026?

Quick answer: Bedford has the higher price floor (YTD median $860,000) and the stronger school ranking (Niche A, #5 in NH), while Londonderry is more affordable (YTD median $725,000, Niche A-, #10 in NH), has more homes for sale relative to its size, and sits closer to Boston via I-93. Families who prioritize the very top schools and can stretch the budget lean Bedford; buyers who want strong schools with more breathing room lean Londonderry.

Bedford and Londonderry are two of the most-asked-about towns in Southern New Hampshire, and buyers cross-shopping them usually land on the same short list of questions: which one costs less, which one has better schools, which one is the shorter drive, and which one actually has homes for sale right now. This Bedford vs Londonderry NH comparison breaks it down using this month's verified numbers.

How Do Home Prices Compare in Bedford vs Londonderry?

Bedford's median single-family sale price was $860,000 year-to-date through August 2026 (up 4.9% year-over-year), according to NHAR's Local Market Update — though August itself was a 15-sale outlier at $960,000, so the YTD figure is the more reliable read. Londonderry's YTD median was $725,000 (up 2.8%), with an August single-month figure of $782,500 that NHAR also flags as a small-sample outlier. That's roughly a $135,000 gap between the two towns on a year-to-date basis — Londonderry buyers are typically getting into a home for meaningfully less than Bedford buyers, even though both towns sit in the same competitive Southern NH market.

Which Town Has Better Schools?

Both districts rank well statewide, but Bedford edges out Londonderry. Bedford School District carries a Niche grade of A and ranks #5 out of 76 New Hampshire districts. Londonderry School District carries a Niche grade of A- and ranks #10 out of 76. Practically speaking, both are top-15% districts in the state — the difference between them is real but smaller than the price gap between the towns. Families who need to be in the single best-ranked district available will lean Bedford; families who want a top-tier district without paying Bedford's price premium often land in Londonderry instead.

Property Taxes: Bedford vs Londonderry

Bedford's 2025 property tax rate is $16.49 per $1,000 of assessed value. Londonderry's is lower, at $14.47 per $1,000 — about a 12% difference. On a $700,000 assessed home, that's roughly an $1,400-per-year gap in favor of Londonderry, on top of the lower purchase price. NH sets 2026 tax rates in October and November, so treat these as the most recent confirmed figures until the new rates post.

Which Town Has More Homes for Sale Right Now?

This is where the two towns diverge the most. Bedford had 40 homes for sale with 2.3 months of supply as of August 2026; Londonderry had 25 homes for sale with just 1.5 months of supply. Statewide inventory has been loosening all summer — New Hampshire had 2,992 homes for sale in July 2026, up 15.6% year-over-year — but that extra supply hasn't reached every town evenly. Bedford absorbed more of it than Londonderry did, which means a Bedford buyer this fall likely has more homes to actually choose between, while a well-priced Londonderry listing is still likely to move fast.

Commute to Boston and Manchester

Both towns work for a Boston commute, but Londonderry is the shorter drive — roughly 50 minutes to Boston via I-93, compared to about 55 minutes from Bedford. Londonderry also borders Manchester-Boston Regional Airport directly (the airport's runway extends into the town), while Bedford sits just a few minutes from it. For day-to-day errands and downtown Manchester, Bedford has the edge — it's immediately adjacent to Manchester's west side. For a Boston-facing hybrid schedule, Londonderry's I-93 access is the more direct shot.

Neighborhoods and Character

Bedford reads as the more polished, executive-suburb option — Wallace Road's mature-tree streets, the newer construction along the South River Road corridor near the Bedford Village Inn, and estate-style lots with conservation land to the north and west. Londonderry keeps more of its working-orchard character (Mack's Apples and Sunnycrest Farm are still active town landmarks) alongside newer mixed-use development around Woodmont Commons, giving it a wider range of price points inside one town than Bedford typically offers.

One more thing worth factoring in: with statewide inventory up but landing unevenly, Bedford's 2.3 months of supply against Londonderry's 1.5 is itself a data point. A second-choice town with real listings to compare often serves buyers better than a first-choice town with almost nothing on the market — worth keeping in mind if you're set on one town before you've actually seen what's available in the other.

Related Reading

• Is Bedford, NH a Good Place to Live? A 2026 Guide
• Is Londonderry, NH a Good Place to Live? (2026 Guide)
• Bedford vs Manchester NH: Which Town Is Right for You?
• Londonderry NH Property Taxes (2026): Rates & What You Pay

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bedford or Londonderry NH more expensive?

Bedford is more expensive. Its year-to-date median sale price through August 2026 was $860,000 versus $725,000 in Londonderry — a roughly $135,000 gap, according to NHAR Local Market Update data.

Which has better schools, Bedford or Londonderry?

Bedford's school district ranks slightly higher — Niche grade A, #5 of 76 NH districts, versus Londonderry's A- and #10 of 76. Both are strong, top-tier districts statewide.

Which town is closer to Boston, Bedford or Londonderry?

Londonderry is closer, at roughly 50 minutes to Boston via I-93, versus about 55 minutes from Bedford. Londonderry also borders Manchester-Boston Regional Airport directly.

Are property taxes lower in Londonderry than Bedford?

Yes. Londonderry's 2025 rate is $14.47 per $1,000 of assessed value, versus $16.49 per $1,000 in Bedford — about 12% lower.

Does Bedford or Londonderry have more homes for sale?

Bedford has more listings relative to demand — 40 homes for sale and 2.3 months of supply in August 2026, compared to Londonderry's 25 homes and 1.5 months of supply.

Which town is better for families, Bedford or Londonderry?

Both are strong family towns with top-ranked schools. Bedford fits families who want the single highest-ranked district and can stretch the budget; Londonderry fits families who want a top-tier district, more listings to choose from, and a shorter Boston commute for less money.

What's the bottom line on the Bedford vs Londonderry NH comparison?

If budget is flexible and the single best-ranked school district matters most, Bedford wins. If you want a top-tier district with more homes to choose from, a shorter Boston commute, and a lower price and tax bill, Londonderry is the stronger fit for most buyers.

Weighing Bedford against Londonderry — or wondering whether a different Southern NH town fits your budget and commute even better? The Phinney Team's town-matching relocation guide walks through the tradeoffs town by town. You can also browse current listings on the Bedford NH real estate page or the Londonderry NH real estate page, or call The Phinney Team at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan at (603) 568-3399 for a side-by-side tour of both towns.