Hillsborough County, NH Housing Market Update: August 2026

Key Takeaways

• Hillsborough County’s median sale price slipped to $538,199 in August, down 1.2% year over year, while national prices rose 2% to $398,596 — the county’s first annual decline in over two years.
• Buyer demand strengthened: pending sales climbed 6% year over year and homes sold rose about 2%, with 54% of closings exceeding asking price, up more than 3 percentage points from last August.
• Homes sold in a median of 26 days — 2 days faster than a year ago and roughly half the national pace — even as active listings expanded 7% and months of supply climbed to 1.8.

Hillsborough County, NH Housing Market Snapshot

Hillsborough County’s housing market sent mixed signals in August: prices retreated modestly for the first time since early 2024 while the pace of sales actually quickened. The median sale price fell just over 1%, but homes moved faster than a year ago, pending contracts climbed 6%, and more than half of all closings beat asking price. The dip in headline price alongside rising speed and competition points to a compositional shift rather than softening demand — more mid-range homes traded while the highest-priced segment contracted.

Below is a breakdown of Hillsborough County, NH housing data for August 2026, along with guidance for buyers and sellers heading into fall.

U.S. Housing Market Snapshot

Nationally, prices rose 2% while pending sales fell about 1% and homes sat on market about as long as a year ago. Hillsborough County diverged in several ways: local prices dipped while the nation rose, yet pending sales surged 6% against a national decline. Homes sold faster locally — 26 days versus 50 nationally, and the 2-day improvement ran counter to the national trend of slowing speed. The county’s tight supply of 1.8 months, less than half the national figure, continued to keep sellers in control despite the price dip.

“The U.S. housing market faced some hurdles in August, as inflation and an AI-fueled economy kept mortgage rates high and weighed heavily on homebuyers, sellers, and investors,” said Chen Zhao, Redfin’s head of economics research. “Until recently, affordability and activity had been slowly improving for months, helping the market recover. But now, economic uncertainty and rising prices are keeping more people on the sidelines and slowing the market further. For buyers who need to buy, now is a great time because there’s less competition and a bit more inventory—for sellers, pricing competitively is key to attract attention.”

Prices Dipped Slightly While Per-Foot Values Held Firm

The median sale price fell 1.2% year over year to $538,199, the first annual decline since early 2024, while the national median climbed 2% to $398,596. Median price per square foot rose nearly 2% to $286, indicating that per-unit values held firm and the headline decline was driven by the mix of properties selling rather than genuine depreciation. The typical home sold for about 1.5% above its list price, and price reductions appeared on about 18% of active listings.

The county’s median price remains roughly $146,000 above the national figure, reflecting New Hampshire’s role as a high-demand market for buyers crossing the border from Massachusetts who gain the advantage of no state income tax. The minor price retreat is better understood as normalization after two consecutive years of mid-single-digit gains rather than the start of a downturn.

Pending Sales Rose as Homes Moved Faster Than Last Year

Pending sales rose 6% year over year to 544, outpacing the national decline of about 1%. Homes sold edged up about 2% to 513, and median days on market fell 2 to 26 — running nearly half the national figure of 50. More than 54% of sales closed above asking price, up more than 3 percentage points from last August, underscoring continued competitive tension despite the headline price decline.

The combination of rising pending volume and faster absorption confirms that buyer demand in Hillsborough County remains resilient. Manchester and Nashua, the county’s two major cities, anchor that demand with proximity to Boston employment centers and comparatively lower housing costs than the Massachusetts suburbs. Buyers who moved decisively still found success, though the expanding inventory gave those with patience slightly more room than they had in the spring.

Inventory Expanded Modestly But Remained Tight

New listings rose about 7% year over year to 510, while active inventory climbed 7% to 1,409. Months of supply reached nearly 2, up from about one and a half a year ago but still deep in seller’s-market territory. Nationally, active listings rose about 3%, meaning Hillsborough County added supply at roughly two and a half times the national rate.

The gradual buildup in inventory is a positive development for buyers who faced near-record tightness through much of 2025. But the pace of absorption has kept up: homes sold faster this August than last, and the above-list share rose. Sellers who priced accurately continued to attract quick offers, while the growing pool of active listings meant that overpriced homes faced stiffer comparison shopping from buyers who now had more alternatives on the market.

Non-Luxury and High Tiers Drove Competition; Luxury Volume Surged

Redfin analysis of MLS data • Rolling three-month period (May-July 2026)

The non-luxury tier ($450,000–$550,000) saw the strongest volume growth at 16%, with 65% of homes selling above list. The high tier also performed well, with prices up 5% and volume rising nearly 6%. Luxury homes delivered the most dramatic shift: the median price jumped 12% to nearly $1.2 million, volume rose 7%, DOM fell 3 days, and above-list sales jumped almost 13 percentage points to 52%. Affluent buyers competed aggressively for the county’s scarce high-end inventory.

Starter homes told a more cautious story. Prices rose about 3%, but DOM expanded by 14 days to 28 and above-list rates fell 5 percentage points. The bottom tier saw prices decline about 2%, volume drop 10%, and above-list sales plummet 17 percentage points to 27%. Buyers at lower price points have gained meaningful leverage, while those shopping in the $500,000–$700,000 range should still expect competitive conditions.

How Buyers and Sellers Can Navigate Hillsborough County’s Market

If you’re buying in Hillsborough County, the market remains tight but is loosening at the edges. Active listings rose 7% and months of supply ticked up to 1.8. The most competitive zone is the non-luxury and high tier ($450,000–$700,000), where 64–65% of homes sell above asking. Come pre-approved and ready to act — homes moved in 26 days at the median, and the fastest-selling properties cleared in under two weeks. If you can stretch into the starter bracket below $400,000, competition is easing and you may find more room to negotiate.

If you’re selling, the data still favors you: 54% of homes sold above list, the median sale took just 26 days (2 days faster than last August), and supply remains well below balanced levels. But price accurately. About 18% of active listings carry a price cut, and the inventory cushion is growing. Well-priced homes in the $500,000–$700,000 range continue to attract multiple offers and sell quickly, while those priced above market risk sitting longer in a pool of expanding options.

Hillsborough County, NH Market Data by City

Rolling three-month period (June-August 2026). Cities with 50+ sales shown.

This article has been generated, in whole or in part, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, with input from Redfin head of economics research Chen Zhao. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information, you should independently verify all data, facts, and citations contained in this article before relying on it for any purpose. This information is not a substitute for advice from a real estate agent, financial advisor, or other licensed professional. County-level data is not seasonally adjusted. Check the Redfin Data Center for additional in-depth housing market data.

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