Property Tax Disparities in New Hampshire
A recent study reveals significant discrepancies in property tax bills throughout New Hampshire. Remarkably, in some instances, taxes can differ by thousands of dollars between neighboring towns. For example, Concord boasts one of the highest tax rates for properties exceeding $500,000, while those in the nearby town of Webster are approximately $6,000 lower, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.
In New Hampshire, property taxes are the primary source of revenue for towns and cities, making them more reliant on this than other states. The Granite State also has the second-highest per capita property taxes in the nation, just behind New Jersey. Phil Sletten, research director at the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, notes, “New Hampshire has the highest percentage of funding that relies on property taxes to fund public services by a significant margin.”
Elke Bell, a longtime resident of Ware, shared her frustrations over the rising taxes. “It’s hard to ignore the current high property taxes,” she remarked, suggesting, “I think we should consider alternative methods to support education and provide relief from property taxes.”
The study indicates that low-income areas often face heavier tax burdens. Sletten explained, “How you approach the data on property taxes can lead to different interpretations; the tax rate and per capita amounts can tell varying stories.” In these economically challenged areas, property taxes frequently serve as the only way to manage rising expenses.
“When budget surprises arise, and if cost-cutting is not an option, communities turn to property taxes to address their additional service needs,” he added. Interestingly, some places with high tax rates—like Berlin, Charlestown, and Concord—are situated near areas with significantly lower taxes.
Mike Falls from Concord commented, “Given that New Hampshire has no sales tax or income tax, I believe the overall tax burden is relatively low.” Others express that the higher rates might be justified. Ashland resident Kate Dwyer stated, “There’s a lot of debate surrounding taxes, but honestly, I think I’m reasonably satisfied.”
The overarching takeaway from the study is clear: state property taxes appear to be increasing at a pace that outstrips inflation, with the last three years marking the largest surge in property taxes seen in 15 years.
