What’s an Acre of Land Worth in New Hampshire in 2026?

Owning land in New Hampshire can mean anything from a walkable in-town lot near jobs and schools to a quiet stretch of North Country timber. That variety is exactly why “price per acre” can swing wildly—sometimes within the same town. Below is a current, data-backed way to think about what one acre is worth in the Granite State and what actually drives the number you’ll see on a listing.

New Hampshire land prices: the numbers to know

Start with a few credible benchmarks, then narrow down based on your location, zoning, utilities, and buildability.

• Market snapshot: The median price per acre in New Hampshire is $15,155, according to Land.com.
• Alternative statewide estimate: The cost per acre of land in New Hampshire is $19,839.89, according to Big Law Investor (citing the “New Estimates of Value of Land of the United States”).
• Farm-focused value: Farm real estate value in New Hampshire is $6,500 per acre, a 4.0% increase from 2024, per USDA NASS.
• Listing context: Average land listings in New Hampshire have a 54-acre lot size and are priced around $888,178, according to Land.com.
• Near-term outlook: New Hampshire’s vacant land market outlook for 2026 is stable, with an estimated price range of $6,200 to $18,000 per acre for raw and farm land, according to Sell The Land Now.

These figures can all be “true” at once because they reflect different land types (farm vs. recreational vs. buildable), different data sets, and different market segments.

Why one acre can cost $6,500—or far more

In New Hampshire, land value follows a simple rule: use and location create the premium. One acre that’s buildable, accessible year-round, and close to high-demand towns can price dramatically higher than an acre of steep, landlocked woodland.

1) Location drives demand (and the ceiling)

Coastal and lake-adjacent areas can move into a different pricing universe because buyers compete for limited inventory.

• On the Seacoast, coastal New Hampshire beach lots in Rye range from $600,000 to $900,000 for well under an acre, according to Oxland Builders.
• In the Lakes Region, Lake Winnipesaukee’s median selling price was $2,750,000 with 85 sales in 2025, according to Roche Realty. (Not all of these are vacant land, but the figure signals how much nearby real estate demand can lift land values.)

2) Nearby home prices influence land comps

Even when you’re buying vacant land, residential market strength often pushes lot prices up—especially for buildable parcels in commuter-friendly areas.

• Rockingham County had the highest median home sales price at $670,000 with 2,619 sales in 2025, according to Roche Realty.

3) Zoning, buildability, and utilities separate “cheap” from “valuable”

Two acres can look identical on a map and still appraise very differently. The biggest swing factors include:

• Zoning and allowed use (single-family, multi-unit, commercial, agricultural, timber)
• Soils and septic feasibility (perc testing, wetland constraints)
• Road frontage and access (public road vs. class VI road vs. deeded right-of-way)
• Utilities (power, broadband, municipal water/sewer vs. private well/septic)
• Topography (steep slopes can reduce the buildable footprint)

Ownership costs that affect what an acre is “worth” to you

Land value isn’t just the purchase price. Carrying costs and site prep can change your real all-in cost per acre.

Property taxes (a major New Hampshire reality)

New Hampshire’s effective property tax rate is 1.77%, ranking 4th highest nationwide, according to Land.com. That rate can materially affect what buyers are willing to pay—especially for higher-priced, buildable parcels.

Clearing and site work

If the parcel is wooded or overgrown, you may need to budget for land preparation before you can build, farm, or even comfortably access it. Professional land clearing in New Hampshire costs between $1,500 to over $10,000 per acre, according to NorthPoint Rentals. That expense can turn a “good deal” into an expensive project—or become a negotiation point when you make an offer.

What to expect by region (practical ranges, not one-size-fits-all)

Use these region-based expectations to sanity-check listings, then verify with local comps and due diligence.

• Seacoast (Rockingham/Strafford influence): Premium pricing is common near ocean access and strong job corridors; the Rye example of $600,000–$900,000 for well under an acre illustrates how scarcity can dominate pricing (per Oxland Builders).
• Lakes Region: Demand around Winnipesaukee remains intense; a $2,750,000 median selling price with 85 sales in 2025 signals a high-price environment that can lift surrounding land values (per Roche Realty).
• Merrimack Valley / commuter towns: Buildable lots often trade at a premium due to access to employment and services.
• Monadnock Region: Often a middle ground—scenic, more rural, but still accessible to key routes.
• White Mountains & North Country: Recreational and timber parcels can look inexpensive per acre, but access, slope, wetlands, and clearing costs can change the equation quickly.

How to estimate a fair price per acre for a specific parcel

To get from statewide averages to a realistic number for one property, use a step-by-step filter:

1. Start with a benchmark: Use the $15,155 median per-acre figure from Land.com and compare it to the $19,839.89 statewide estimate from Big Law Investor.
2. Match the land type: If it’s agricultural, sanity-check against the $6,500 per acre farm real estate value (up 4.0% from 2024) from USDA NASS.
3. Adjust for market segment: Remember the “average listing” is large—about 54 acres priced around $888,178—which can skew expectations when you’re evaluating a 1–5 acre buildable lot (per Land.com).
4. Price the constraints: Subtract (or negotiate) likely site costs like clearing at $1,500 to over $10,000 per acre (per NorthPoint Rentals).
5. Factor in taxes: Apply New Hampshire’s 1.77% effective property tax rate (ranked 4th highest) from Land.com to understand long-term carrying cost.
6. Check the direction of the market: For raw and farm land, compare your deal to the $6,200 to $18,000 per acre 2026 outlook range (stable) from Sell The Land Now.

Buying and selling land in New Hampshire: modern best practices

For buyers

1. Verify buildability early: zoning, wetlands, driveway permits, septic design, and well feasibility.
2. Run a “total cost to build” budget: include clearing, driveway, power extension, and permits—especially if you’re starting with raw land.
3. Use local comps: county-level housing strength (like Rockingham’s $670,000 median with 2,619 sales in 2025, per Roche Realty) can influence what sellers expect for buildable lots.

For sellers

1. Price by use case, not just acreage: frontage, utilities, and permits often matter more than raw size.
2. Reduce buyer uncertainty: a recent survey, soil test, or clear access documentation can support a higher price.
3. Expect longer timelines for niche parcels: unique constraints can reduce the buyer pool, even in a strong market.

Bottom line

One acre in New Hampshire can be “worth” very different numbers depending on where it sits and what you can do with it. Use statewide baselines like the $15,155 median price per acre (per Land.com) and the $19,839.89 statewide estimate (per Big Law Investor), then narrow the value based on land type, buildability, taxes, and real site costs. When you do, you’ll move from guesswork to a defensible price—whether you’re buying your first acre or selling a parcel you’ve held for years.