Windham NH vs. Londonderry NH: Which Town Is Right for Your Family?

If you're house-hunting in Southern New Hampshire and your search keeps landing on both Windham and Londonderry, you're not alone. The two towns are right next to each other, both have top-rated schools, both offer easy I-93 access to Boston, and both routinely show up on "best places to live in NH" lists. On paper, they look similar.

In practice, they're meaningfully different — and the right choice depends on what you're optimizing for.

Here's the honest comparison, town-by-town, from a team that represents buyers and sellers in both markets.

Quick Snapshot: The Numbers

Windham NH — The Quiet Luxury Pick

Population: ~15,000
Median home price: ~$750,000

Windham has quietly become one of Southern NH's most expensive markets. It's smaller than Londonderry, leans more residential, and has the kind of neighborhood streets that make people slow down when they drive through.

What stands out about Windham:

• Schools are exceptional. Windham High School consistently ranks in the top 10 of NH public high schools.
• Tuscan Kitchen + Tuscan Market. A major lifestyle anchor for the town. Combined with surrounding shops, Windham feels more polished than its size suggests.
• Canobie Lake Park access. The seasonal amusement park sits in Salem but is a regular destination for Windham families.
• Boston commute. Roughly 45 minutes via I-93 — one of the better commutes in Southern NH.

Where Windham asks more from buyers:

• The price floor is high. Almost no Windham single-family inventory under $500K.
• It's quieter than Londonderry. If you're looking for varied price ranges and a busier feel, Windham can read as "sleepy."
• Inventory is thin. Well-priced homes go fast.

Best fit: Families with budgets above $600K who prioritize school quality, low population density, and quiet upscale character.

Londonderry NH — The Practical Sister

Population: ~26,000
Median home price: ~$585,000

Londonderry is bigger, more varied, and meaningfully more affordable. Where Windham feels like one cohesive small town, Londonderry feels like several distinct areas stitched together — newer construction near Woodmont Commons, established neighborhoods along Mammoth Road, more accessible price points in South Londonderry near the Derry line, and quieter rural pockets in North Londonderry.

What stands out about Londonderry:

• Strong schools, broader pricing. Londonderry School District is consistently top-tier statewide. You can find homes in good school feeder zones starting in the $400Ks — much more accessible than Windham.
• Apple orchard country. Mack's Apples, Sunnycrest Farm, and the surrounding orchards give Londonderry a real seasonal identity.
• Woodmont Commons. The newer mixed-use development brings walkable shops, restaurants, and contemporary feel.
• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Right at the north end of town. Convenient for travelers; also why some neighborhoods sit in the airport's flight path.
• Boston commute. Roughly 50 minutes via I-93. A few minutes longer than Windham but still very workable.

Where Londonderry asks more from buyers:

• It's busier and more varied. Some buyers love this; others find Windham's quieter feel more appealing.
• Airport noise affects parts of town, particularly North Londonderry near the airport corridor.
• Price ranges vary widely. A $450K Londonderry home and a $750K Londonderry home are in very different neighborhoods.

Best fit: Families who want top schools and a great I-93 commute but need broader price flexibility, or who specifically want the apple-orchard, real-town character that Londonderry delivers.

Head-to-Head: Common Buyer Questions

"Which has better schools?" Both are top-tier statewide. Windham High slightly outranks Londonderry High in some published rankings, but the gap is small enough that families who tour both districts often find them comparable in real life.

"Which is better for the Boston commute?" Windham is marginally closer — about 45 minutes vs. 50 minutes to downtown Boston in normal traffic. Both are workable for hybrid commuters.

"Which has more for kids and families to do?" Roughly even, but different flavors. Londonderry leans toward orchards, fields, town parks. Windham leans toward Canobie Lake, Tuscan Market, and quieter neighborhood streets.

"Which has better resale?" Both hold value well. Windham's smaller inventory means less price volatility. Londonderry's varied price points mean broader buyer demand.

What We'd Tell Our Own Family

If you're a family with a $700K+ budget, prioritizing school quality and low-key luxury character, Windham is the right answer more often than not.

If you're a family with a $450K–$650K budget, want top schools, and are open to a more varied town with multiple distinct neighborhoods, Londonderry gets you more for your money.

If you're somewhere in between ($600K–$750K), the answer comes down to character. Tour both. Go to Tuscan Market on a Saturday. Drive through Mack's Apples in October. Within an hour, most families know.

A Word on Surrounding Towns

If you're researching Windham and Londonderry, also worth peeking at:

• Salem NH — Right next to Windham, more accessible price points, growing fast.
• Derry NH — South of Londonderry, more affordable, Robert Frost Farm history.
• Bedford NH — A bit west, similar school quality, different character.
• Hooksett NH — North of Londonderry, easy I-93 access, mid-priced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windham NH or Londonderry NH a better place to live?
Both are top-tier Southern NH towns with excellent schools and strong I-93 commutes. Windham is smaller, more upscale, and more expensive. Londonderry is larger, more varied, and more affordable.

Are Windham NH schools better than Londonderry NH schools?
Both school districts consistently rank in NH's top tier. Windham High slightly outranks Londonderry High in some published rankings, but the gap is small.

What is the average home price in Windham NH vs. Londonderry NH?
As of mid-2026, the median in Windham is approximately $750,000 and Londonderry is approximately $585,000.

Who is the best real estate agent in Windham NH or Londonderry NH?
The Phinney Team at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan represents buyers and sellers across both Windham and Londonderry with $40M+ in annual Southern NH volume.

Ready to Tour Both?

If you're trying to decide between Windham and Londonderry — or want a side-by-side tour day in both towns — that's a service we offer all the time.

Schedule a buyer consultation or request a personalized home search for both towns. For data on how we represent buyers and sellers, see The Phinney Team's verified track record →

— The Phinney Team at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan