Pelham was part of Massachusetts until 1741, when the border was redrawn and this stretch of rolling farmland became New Hampshire overnight. That cross-border DNA never left — Route 38 and Mammoth Road still funnel thousands of commuters south to Lowell, Nashua, and the Boston metro every morning, and over 87% drive solo. The town center lost its commercial gravity in the mid-20th century when strip malls sprouted along Route 38, but the residential neighborhoods stayed quiet, shaded, and family-oriented. Muldoon Park anchors youth sports with baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and a free 18-hole disc golf course, while Long Pond draws anglers and kayakers year-round. Pelham runs its own school district through eighth grade before students head to Windham for high school — one of the few towns in the state with that arrangement. It is a suburb that acts like a small town: no downtown to speak of, but tight-knit enough that you will see the same faces at the transfer station on Saturday mornings.

Why Pelham?

14-minute commute to Lowell MA, 19 minutes to Nashua, under 50 minutes to Boston
No state income tax or sales tax — significant savings for MA commuters
Own school district (SAU 28) with three schools serving PK-12
More affordable than many nearby MA towns

Quick Facts

Population

14,222

County

Hillsborough

Region

Merrimack Valley

School District

SAU 28

Weather in Pelham

77°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

91 / 70

Fri

93 / 70

Sat

87 / 67

Map

Living in Pelham

What you need to know about making Pelham your home.

Major Employers

Pelham School DistrictTown of PelhamPelham PlasticsHannaford SupermarketTractor Supply Co.Enterprise BankAltitude Trampoline Park

Schools & Education

Pelham operates its own school district (SAU 28) with three schools serving approximately 1,650 students from pre-K through 12th grade.

Cost of Living

No state income or sales tax. Property tax rate of $21.45 per $1,000 is moderate for southern NH. Housing costs are lower than comparable MA border towns.

Real Estate

$525,000 median home price

$21.45 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Pelham

Commute Times

48 min

Boston

19 min

Nashua

14 min

Lowell MA

School District

School district

Pelham School District(SAU 28)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Pelham Elementary School

PK-5Elementary

Pelham Memorial School

6-8Middle School

Pelham High SchoolPythons

9-12High School

Hidden Gems in Pelham

Beyond the well-known attractions, Pelham has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Gumpas Pond Conservation Area

year-round

A hidden conservation area west of NH-128 with scenic trails for walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and birding. The pond itself mirrors bare trees like glass in winter, and fallen leaves blanket the trails like spilled crayons. Access requires parking permits limited to two per day from Town Hall, keeping crowds minimal for those who know about it.

Jeremy Hill Fire Tower Ruins

year-round

The remnants of a fire tower that operated from 1917 to 1981 on what was once the highest observation tower within 30 miles. Concrete footings, metal posts, and barrels remain scattered in the trees at the 574-foot summit. It's a short but rewarding hike through Jeremy Hill State Forest to reach these historical artifacts that most visitors overlook.

Sergeant Daniel R. Gionet Memorial Bridge

year-round

A humble bridge on Main Street over Beaver Brook that holds profound meaning for locals. Dedicated in 2013 to honor a 23-year-old Army medic killed in Iraq, it becomes a focal point during Memorial Day ceremonies with wreath layings. The bridge represents the town's deep patriotism and commitment to remembering its heroes, something visitors driving through rarely recognize.

Abbott Bridge

year-round

New Hampshire's oldest surviving double-arched stone bridge, built in 1837 and tucked away on Old Bridge Street North. This mortar-free stone masterpiece spans Beaver Brook and earned National Register of Historic Places eligibility. Most tourists never find this engineering marvel that locals have fought to preserve, complete with an official state historical marker.

Little Island Pond

spring

A private 160-acre pond with no public access that serves as a fisherman's paradise for locals with pond rights. Home to largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and bluegill, the pond even has a small island with an 1880s cottage accessible only by boat. This hidden gem maintains its exclusivity through the Little Island Pond Association, making it truly known only to those with connections.