
Durham
Home to UNH and the Iconic Thompson Hall Clock Tower
About Durham
Durham is the classic New England college town — the kind of place where you can walk from a centuries-old farm to a world-class research library in under ten minutes. The University of New Hampshire dominates the landscape with its red-brick campus along Main Street, but Durham has its own identity beyond the university: tidal estuaries along the Oyster River, Wagon Hill Farm with sweeping views of Great Bay, and a tight-knit year-round community of about 5,000 residents (swelling to 16,000 when students arrive). The Oyster River winds through town, creating salt marshes and quiet spots for kayaking when the tide is right. Wagon Hill Farm remains one of the best places to stretch your legs, with open fields rolling down toward Great Bay and trails that locals use for everything from dog walks to cross-country skiing in winter. The university's campus itself offers plenty of green space, and the surrounding area has enough woods and water access to keep you busy without having to drive far. The Oyster River school district is consistently ranked among the best in New Hampshire, making Durham one of the most sought-after towns for families on the Seacoast. Downtown offers local restaurants, a food co-op, and the kind of independent businesses that thrive in a university town. The Amtrak Downeaster stops right in Durham, connecting residents to Boston in about 90 minutes without fighting I-95 traffic.
Why Durham?
- Home to the University of New Hampshire, a top-tier public research university
- Walkable downtown with restaurants, shops, and college-town energy
- 15 minutes to Portsmouth, Amtrak Downeaster service to Boston
- Top-ranked Oyster River school district (SAU 5)
Quick Facts
Weather in Durham
Partly Cloudy
Today
56 / 30
Sun
60 / 38
Mon
61 / 38
Map
Living in Durham
What you need to know about making Durham your home.
Major Employers
Schools & Education
Durham is served by the Oyster River Cooperative School District (SAU 5), covering Durham, Lee, and Madbury. Both elementary schools rank in the top 10 statewide and the district is consistently rated among New Hampshire's best.
Cost of Living
Cost of living is roughly 15-17% above the national average, driven primarily by housing costs. No state income or sales tax offsets some of the higher housing expense.
Real Estate
$619,000 median home price
$18.87 per $1,000 property tax rate
No state income or sales tax in NH
View listings in DurhamCommute Times
School District
Events in Durham
Innovation Station
Conservation Commission Meeting
Trustees of the Trust Fund
Chess Club
Chainsaws, Cheeseburgers, and Rock N' Roll
Parks & Rec Committee
Explore Durham

Doreen Soares, Realtor
FeaturedJohnson's Seafood and Steak
Hop + Grind
Yellow Finch Carpet Cleaning LLC
Bamee Restaurant
Whittemore Center Arena
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