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

Quick answer: Comparing Derry vs Londonderry NH for your next move? Londonderry carries the higher price tag (median $725,000 year-to-date) and the stronger-rated school district (A-, #10 of 76 in NH), while Derry is the more affordable option (median $590,000 YTD) with an almost identical commute and its own lake-and-Main-Street character. Neither town has a state income or sales tax, and both sit a few minutes off I-93 south of Manchester.

How Do Home Prices Compare in the Derry vs Londonderry NH Market?

The gap is real and it isn't small. Londonderry's median single-family sale price was $725,000 year-to-date through August 2026 (NHAR), up 2.8% from a year ago. Derry's median single-family sale price was $590,000 YTD through August 2026 (NHAR), up 2.6% year-over-year. That's a roughly $135,000 spread between two towns that share a border and an interstate. (Londonderry's single-month August figure spiked to $782,500 on a small sample of 24 closings — the NHAR field itself flags it as an outlier, so the YTD number is the one to trust.) For context, the statewide New Hampshire single-family median was $580,000 in July 2026 (NHAR Monthly Indicators), a record high — which puts Derry right at the state average and Londonderry well above it.

Which Town Has Better Schools, Derry or Londonderry?

On paper, Londonderry pulls ahead. The Londonderry School District carries a Niche overall grade of A- and ranks #10 out of 76 school districts in New Hampshire. Derry's K-8 schools fall under the Derry Cooperative School District, graded C+ by Niche, and Derry's public high schoolers attend Pinkerton Academy — one of New Hampshire's largest schools, operating under a long-standing town tuition contract rather than as a traditional district high school — which also carries a C+ overall grade. That grade gap is one of the biggest reasons families researching Derry vs Londonderry NH school options end up leaning toward Londonderry, even at the higher price point.

Is the Commute to Boston Faster from Derry or Londonderry?

Barely different, on paper. Census data puts Derry's mean commute at 29.3 minutes and Londonderry's at 28.6 minutes — both towns run close to the New Hampshire average and comfortably under the Boston-metro average. Where Londonderry pulls ahead is proximity to air travel: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport sits directly on Londonderry's border, with airport property extending into the town, so Londonderry residents are practically next door to it. Derry residents add a few extra minutes to reach the airport, though both towns route to Boston primarily via I-93 and I-293, with commuter bus service (Boston Express) available from Londonderry's own transportation center.

How Do Property Taxes Compare Between Derry and Londonderry?

This is where the math starts to even back out. Derry's 2025 property tax rate is $18.99 per $1,000 of assessed value; Londonderry's is $14.47 — meaningfully lower. On a home assessed near its purchase price, that's roughly $4,500 more per year in Derry taxes on a $590,000 home versus Londonderry taxes on a $725,000 home, which narrows — though doesn't erase — the affordability gap the sale prices alone suggest. (Remember: a tax rate alone doesn't tell the whole story without the town's equalization ratio, so treat this as directional, not a bill estimate.) 2026 rates won't be set until the NH Department of Revenue Administration finalizes them this fall.

Neighborhood Character: Derry's Main Street vs. Londonderry's Orchard Roots

Numbers aside, the two towns feel different day to day. Derry keeps a genuine small-city downtown along Broadway and Route 28, plus Beaver Lake and MacGregor Park for weekend recreation — one of our own agents, Christina Grover, recently closed a waterfront buyer on Beaver Lake, and that corner of town draws steady interest from people who want water access without a Lakes Region price tag. Londonderry, by contrast, reads more suburban-planned: newer developments like Meetinghouse Commons and Hawk Drive, a Main Street with a mix of orchards-turned-subdivisions, and a layout that leans toward larger, newer-construction lots. Neither is "better" — it depends whether you're drawn to an established Main Street or a newer planned community.

Which Town Has More Homes for Sale Right Now?

Derry currently has 36 homes for sale against 1.6 months of supply; Londonderry has 25 for sale against 1.5 months of supply (NHAR, August 2026) — both still favor sellers, though Derry's larger active list gives buyers a few more options to choose from at any given time. That's consistent with the statewide picture: 2.7 months of supply overall and a 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 7.03% (Freddie Mac PMMS, week of September 24, 2026), so buyers comparing Derry vs Londonderry NH listings this fall are working with tighter inventory than the state average in both towns, not just one.

Related Reading

• Is Derry, NH a Good Place to Live? (2026 Guide)
• Is Londonderry, NH a Good Place to Live? (2026 Guide)
• Bedford vs Londonderry NH: Which Town Fits You Better in 2026?

Frequently Asked Questions About Derry vs Londonderry NH

Is Derry or Londonderry NH a better place to live?

It depends on your priorities. Londonderry has the stronger-rated school district and sits closer to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; Derry is meaningfully more affordable and has its own lake access and Main Street character. Neither town has a state income or sales tax.

Which town is more affordable, Derry or Londonderry?

Derry, by a wide margin on sale price. Derry's median home sold for $590,000 year-to-date through August 2026, versus $725,000 in Londonderry — a roughly $135,000 gap. Londonderry's lower property tax rate ($14.47 per $1,000 versus Derry's $18.99) narrows the annual cost difference somewhat.

What's the real difference in the Derry vs Londonderry NH housing market?

Mainly price and school ratings. Londonderry runs about 23% higher on median sale price and carries a Niche A- school district grade (#10 in NH) versus Derry's C+ district and C+ Pinkerton Academy grade. Inventory and commute times are close to identical between the two towns.

How far is Londonderry from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport compared to Derry?

Londonderry is effectively at the airport's doorstep — airport property extends into the town along its shared border with Manchester. Derry sits a short drive farther south and east, adding a few extra minutes for residents heading to a flight.

Which town has lower property taxes, Derry or Londonderry?

Londonderry, clearly. Its 2025 rate is $14.47 per $1,000 of assessed value versus Derry's $18.99. New Hampshire's 2026 tax rates won't be finalized until this fall, so both figures reflect the most recent (2025) DRA data.

Should I work with a local agent when comparing Derry and Londonderry homes?

Yes — pricing, inventory, and school-boundary lines can shift block by block in both towns, and a local agent who works both markets can help you weigh the real trade-offs rather than just the headline numbers. The Phinney Team works both Derry and Londonderry every week and can walk you through a side-by-side town match for your specific budget and priorities — reach out through teamphinney.com to get started.