Quick answer: Yes — if top-ranked schools, protected farmland, and quiet country roads matter more to you than price. Hollis pairs one of New Hampshire's best school systems with a genuinely rural feel just ten minutes from Nashua. The trade-off is cost: typical home values run well above the statewide median, and inventory is thin.

Ask anyone in southern New Hampshire to name the town that still looks like New England is supposed to look, and Hollis comes up fast. Settled in 1730 and incorporated in 1746, the town made a deliberate choice decades ago to protect its orchards, stone walls, and open fields through conservation easements and careful zoning — a story New Hampshire Magazine has called a blend of town and country that didn't survive by accident. Roughly 10,000 people live here, and most of them will tell you the same thing: they came for the schools or the land, and stayed for both. So, is Hollis NH a good place to live in 2026? Here's the honest, numbers-first version.

What makes Hollis different from other southern NH towns?

Character, mostly. Where neighboring Nashua delivers city conveniences and Milford offers a classic mill-town downtown, Hollis is organized around Monument Square, farm stands, and pick-your-own orchards. Lavoie's Farm still runs a working farmstand through the warmer months, Silver Lake State Park draws swimmers and picnickers all summer, and large-lot zoning keeps most streets wooded and quiet. It is the kind of town where the July farmers' market is a legitimate social event.

That preserved character is also why supply stays tight. Hollis has very little condo or starter-home stock — the market is dominated by single-family homes on an acre or more, from antique colonials near the village center to newer custom builds tucked off Depot and Dow roads.

How much does a home cost in Hollis NH in 2026?

Hollis is one of the most expensive towns in the Nashua region, and 2026 hasn't changed that. Per Zillow's July 2026 data, the typical Hollis home value sits around $729,000, up modestly (about 0.5%) over the past year, while active listings have recently carried median asking prices near $898,000 — a reflection of how much of what's for sale here is larger, newer, or sitting on significant acreage. Homes have been going under agreement in roughly three weeks (22 days median), a more balanced pace than the frenzied bidding common closer to Manchester.

For context, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors put the statewide single-family median at a record $579,900 in May 2026 — meaning Hollis buyers should expect to pay a meaningful premium over the typical NH transaction. If your budget is closer to that statewide number, nearby Milford offers a similar rural-adjacent lifestyle with a friendlier entry price.

How good are the Hollis Brookline schools?

This is the number-one reason families target the town. Hollis and neighboring Brookline share a cooperative district (SAU 41) for the middle and high school years, and the results are consistently among the state's best: Niche ranks Hollis-Brookline High School #3 among New Hampshire public high schools for 2026, U.S. News places it fourth in the state, and the district's graduation rate has climbed to roughly 97%. The elementary schools feed small class sizes into a system that regularly lands in the top 10% of New Hampshire districts on proficiency data.

Buyers weighing schools across multiple towns should note that strong districts in southern NH tend to come bundled with higher home prices — Hollis, Bedford, Bow, and Windham all follow the pattern. The question is whether you buy the premium here or in one of those alternatives.

For the full picture — district structure, 2026 rankings, test data, and what homes near each school cost — see our new Hollis NH Schools Guide (2026).

What about commute and property taxes?

Hollis borders Nashua directly, so daily errands, hospitals, and Route 3 access are about ten minutes from the village center. Boston-bound commuters typically plan on an hour, give or take, depending on where along Route 3 or the F.E. Everett Turnpike they pick up traffic — comparable to the other border-area towns we work in.

On taxes, Hollis surprises people. The town's 2024 property tax rate came in at $17.73 per $1,000 of assessed value — moderate by New Hampshire standards and lower than many nearby towns, though the high assessed values mean actual tax bills are still substantial. New Hampshire's lack of income and sales tax remains part of the overall math for anyone relocating from Massachusetts.

Who is Hollis right for — and who should look elsewhere?

Hollis fits buyers who want land, privacy, and elite schools, and who can shop in the $650K-and-up range. It's a superb fit for families planning around Hollis-Brookline High School, remote or hybrid professionals who want country quiet with Nashua ten minutes away, and buyers who specifically want acreage or an antique home with real history.

It's a tougher fit if you want walkable nightlife, condo convenience, or a starter-home price point — the inventory simply isn't built that way. And if you need every dollar of budget to go toward square footage rather than land and schools, adjacent towns will stretch your money further. Our team helps buyers run this exact comparison every week; you can start with the current inventory on our Hollis NH real estate page or talk through the town-vs-town trade-offs with The Phinney Team.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hollis NH a good place to live for families?

Yes. The Hollis-Brookline school system ranks among New Hampshire's top districts, neighborhoods are quiet and low-traffic, and Silver Lake State Park, town orchards, and farm stands give kids a genuinely outdoor childhood. The main constraint for families is price: most homes trade well above the state median.

Is Hollis NH expensive compared to nearby towns?

Yes. Typical home values around $729,000 put Hollis well above the May 2026 statewide median of $579,900 and above neighbors like Milford and Nashua. You're paying for the school district, large lots, and preserved rural character — Bedford and Windham are its closest price peers.

What is the property tax rate in Hollis NH?

The 2024 rate was $17.73 per $1,000 of assessed value, moderate for New Hampshire. Because Hollis home values are high, total bills are still significant — budget using the assessed value of the specific home, not just the rate.

How far is Hollis NH from Boston?

Plan on roughly an hour door-to-door to downtown Boston in normal traffic, via Route 3 through Nashua. Hollis sits about 45 miles northwest of the city, and many residents split the difference by commuting to Nashua or Manchester instead.

Does Hollis NH have a downtown?

Hollis centers on the historic Monument Square village area — town hall, church, and a handful of local institutions — rather than a commercial downtown. Residents lean on adjacent Nashua for shopping, dining, and services, which is a ten-minute drive from most of town.

Is Hollis NH a Good Place to Live? (2026 Guide)