Hampton Beach is a coastal tourist town in a central location
With front row seats to the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton Beach is a village district, tourist destination and census-designated place in the town of Hampton. It’s one of the busiest—if not the busiest—beach resorts in New Hampshire, where low-rise hotels, seasonal restaurants and entertainment venues pack the boardwalk on Ocean Boulevard. “Hampton Beach is a major second-home market, and we definitely have a very vibrant tourist community,” says Tom McGuirk, a local broker/owner of McGuirk Properties and a year-round Hampton resident for over two decades. He adds: “While tourists are prominent, there is still a solid, close-knit community of full-time residents who all know each other well.” This coastal community is approximately 15 miles south of Portsmouth and less than an hour’s drive north of Boston without traffic. McGuirk notes that this proximity puts Hampton Beach in a relatively central location for a coastal town.
Sunset walks along Hampton Beach are popular with locals and visitors.
Food vendors line the boardwalk during Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic.
1/2
Condos dominate housing stock in this beachside community
Just over half of the residential properties in Hampton Beach are condos, with single-family homes and townhouses making up the other half. The high number of condominiums is primarily due to the community’s status as a tourist destination. “People looking for second homes and investment properties definitely gravitate towards Hampton Beach,” McGuirk says. “We also attract a lot of retirees and see people moving here from out of state because New Hampshire has some of the most favorable tax codes in the country.” As a result of the rising interest from buyers, the community has seen an increase in new construction projects recently, particularly for condo developments and multifamily properties. “The beach does have its fair share of single-family cottages, but unoccupied ones are sometimes torn down for the condos,” McGuirk says. Condos can cost anywhere from $160,000 to just over $1 million, though they typically stay below $700,000. Townhouses are often between $520,000 and $920,000. Most single-family cottages and New Englanders range from $400,000 to $850,000, with larger waterfront homes frequently selling between $1 million and $2 million.
Hampton Beach condos feature ocean-view balconies and coastal charm.
Cottage-style homes add charm to Hampton Beach neighborhoods.
1/2
Summer brings outdoor recreation on the ocean and the beach
Life in Hampton Beach revolves around the waterfront and the wide, sandy beach stretching the length of the town. Surfing, parasailing and kayaking are popular water sports; free yoga classes, movie nights and sand-sculpting competitions take place on the beach during the summer. The Hampton River Marina offers sunset cruises and whale watching excursions on a seasonal basis. Lobster tours and fishing charters are also available for booking at several marinas. “The water can get a little cold because it comes right from the Gulf of Maine, but the colder water also means the beach stays clean. We don’t get the red tides you see in places like Cape Cod; we take pride in keeping our shores clean,” McGuirk says. Going inland, the community borders the Hampton Salt Marsh, an area known for birdwatching, but which lacks a developed trail system.
Pickleball courts bring active fun to Hampton Beach residents.
Sagamore Golf Club features a putting green and 18-hole course nearby.
Fishing boats dot Hampton Beach’s harbor during summer season.
1/3
Events, dining and entertainment pack the boardwalk on Ocean Blvd
Hampton Beach’s shopping, dining and entertainment amenities sit front and center along the Ocean Boulevard boardwalk, which serves as the town’s lively commercial corridor. During tourist season, McGuirk says that events and community activities occur every night along the boardwalk: “People can go to free concerts and other performances hosted daily at the Seashell Oceanfront Pavilion or watch fireworks every Wednesday night during the summer,” he says. The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival takes place during the weekend following Labor Day and is perhaps the town’s largest annual event, with attendance numbers hovering around 150,000 people.
Alongside the boardwalk’s entertainment venues are rows of storefronts and outdoor dining patios. “You’ve got convenience stores, concessions, boutiques and, of course, ice cream stands all along the boulevard,” McGuirk says. Restaurants range from casual pubs and takeout stands to breakfast cafes and seafood diners. Many places are only open during tourist season and close for the winter. For weekly grocery trips, McGuirk says that Market Basket in Seabrook and Hannaford in Hampton are both within a 15-minute drive of residents. “Hampton also has plenty of your everyday urban amenities. If you need the dry cleaners, if you need Home Depot, you can go to Hampton,” he adds. Big-box stores like Hobby Lobby, Walmart and Kohl’s are in Seabrook.
Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic draws crowds each summer.
Seacoast Spring Craft Show hosts live music and artisan vendors.
Impressions Beachwear sells swimwear and coastal apparel on Ocean Blvd.
Hannaford grocery store is a short drive from Hampton Beach.
1/4
Zoning for Hampton School District SAU 90
Students living in Hampton Beach are zoned for the Hampton School District School Administration Unit 90, which receives an overall A-minus rating from Niche. Hampton Centre School is for prekindergarten through second-grade students and is rated B-minus, while Grades 3 through 5 can attend the A-minus-rated Adeline C. Marston Elementary School. Hampton Academy for sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students is also rated A-minus. For their secondary education, students head to Winnacunnet High School, a B-plus-rated institution in the town of Hampton but outside the SAU 90 district. Incoming and current high school freshmen can participate in the school’s Sea to Summit summer enrichment program, which combines STEM-based academic instruction, local history and socialization over the course of three weeks.
Adeline C. Marston Elementary serves grades 3-5 in Hampton.
Hampton Academy educates middle school students in Hampton.
Winnacunnet High School offers academics and sports for grades 9-12.
1/3
Hampton Beach is well connected via state routes
New Hampshire Route 1A and Route 101 are the two main thoroughfares running through Hampton Beach; Route 1A is coastal and runs north-south beside the boardwalk, while Route 101 connects drivers 3 miles inland to Hampton’s town center. Residents can access Interstate 95 in Seabrook, roughly 8 miles west of the beach. Portsmouth International Airport is 17 miles away and offers limited flights through Allegiant Air and Breeze Airways. The Seabrook Emergency Room at Portsmouth Regional Hospital is open 24 hours and is a 15-minute drive from Hampton Beach.
Written By
Hayley Simms
Photography Contributed By
Alex Jacobsen
Video By
Edward Pokoj
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
James Therrien,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Welcome to 3 Perkins Avenue, Unit 2 – Hampton Beach Living at Its Best! Nestled just steps from the sand, this spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offers the perfect combination of comfort, style, and coastal charm. Located in a modern 3-unit building built in 2014, Unit 2 features 1,070 square feet of open-concept living with a well-designed layout ideal for year-round living or an
Discover the best of Hampton Beach living at Pearls on Perkins (3 Perkins Ave). This 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers modern comfort, a 2-car garage, and full Hampton River views and just steps from the sand and boardwalk. Inside, the open-concept main level flows seamlessly from the kitchen with breakfast bar into the dining and living areas, ideal for entertaining or relaxing. Upstairs, the
Welcome to 3 Perkins Avenue, Unit 2 – Hampton Beach Living at Its Best! Nestled just steps from the sand, this spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offers the perfect combination of comfort, style, and coastal charm. Located in a modern 3-unit building built in 2014, Unit 2 features 1,070 square feet of open-concept living with a well-designed layout ideal for year-round living or an
Welcome to 520 Ocean Boulevard, ideally located in Hampton’s premier Boar’s Head neighborhood! Enjoy ocean accessibility and views of serene north beach AND south to the vibrant main beach as well as marsh views to the west! This beautiful townhome combines location, lifestyle, and peace of mind with no flood insurance or flood insurance fees required. Relax on your private balcony deck and take
Enjoy some of the most stunning ocean views Hampton Beach has to offer from this like-new, 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo. Perched on the fourth floor, the spacious floor plan offers an open-concept kitchen/living room with windows throughout that take full advantage of the ocean vistas. High-end finishes with a modern kitchen, efficient heat pump and central air. The building offers an elevator as well
Enjoy the best of Hampton Beach, recently named one of the Top East Coast Beaches by Condé Nast from this ideally located property just steps from the sand, ocean, and the lively boardwalk. Set along one of Hampton’s most iconic streets, this home offers the perfect blend of seaside charm and convenience, with easy access to restaurants, shops, entertainment, bars, concerts, arcades, fireworks,
Single cottage with many designer updates: Kitchen with hickory counter tops, travertine farmers sink, travertine stone floors. 2nd floor with new hardwood floors, washer/dryer hookups, small sunroom with ship lap ceilings and small ocean view, bedrooms with barn doors, recessed lighting and fans. Duplex cottage has 2 units. first floor with 2 bedrooms renovated kitchen with S/S appliances, new
Welcome to coastal living at its most exciting—presenting 3 Harris Avenue in Hampton Beach, an impeccably remodeled two-family home (2 bedrooms each unit with an additional bonus room that could be used as a third bedroom) mere steps from sand and surf. This vibrant property offers an ideal blend of style, location, and flexibility: each unit basks in fresh finishes like granite countertops and
Marcus KatkinKW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty
Opportunity awaits at 27 Kentville Terrace an ideal project for investors, contractors, or beach lovers looking to build instant equity. This location offers seaside charm and convenience, with easy access to restaurants, shops, entertainment, bars, concerts, arcades, fireworks, harbors, year round attractions and more.This property offers solid potential for renovation, rental income, or resale.
Calling all builders/investors - this oceanfront 4-unit multi-family has town approvals for subdivision, creating 2 oceanfront building lots. Perched on Great Boars Head, the property offers unparalleled views of not only Hampton Beach, but as far as Cape Ann and the Isles of Shoals on a clear day. The lot currently has an updated 3-unit building consisting of a one, two and three bedroom unit.
A MUST SEE TO APPRECIATE THIS YEAR ROUND COTTAGE, STEPS TO QUIET AREA OF HAMPTON BEACH. Looking for an investment property?? Check out this adorable open concept year-round home! rents for this area between 1500-3000 per wk in the summer, and 2000-3000/month in the winter.One floor living in a renovated 3 bedroom cottage with 2 bathrooms. Well insulated for affordable electric and natural
Here's the chance you have been waiting for! Coastal living meets modern style in this 2018-built single-family home overlooking the Hampton Harbor and just minutes from Hampton Beach along with access to access to modest beach area for those living locally, you can usually wade out to a sand bar just offshore in low tide, very inviting. Whether you walk, bike, or use your Hampton resident beach
This five unit building over looks the Atlantic Ocean and is located at the quieter end of Hampton Beach in a more residential area. Four of the five units directly face the water. There is coin-op laundry on site. Each unit comes with two off-street parking spaces. All units have access to their own deck areas.
SIX month+ rental opportunity!Tastefully renovated, fully furnished, stand-alone cottage located in beautiful Hampton Beach NH. A short block away walk from the Ocean.Features designated parking, small private patio & professionally landscaped courtyard.Easy, convenient access to Routes 101 and 95.
Property Id: 2270489Rare YEAR-ROUND rental in the heart of Hampton Beach located less than a block to the sand! This one bedroom, one bath first floor unit is very spacious and available now. Direct private entry from the first floor with covered deck. Full kitchen with separate living space and one bedroom. One full bath with tub. Heat, hot water and gas included. Tenant pays
Offering a charming YEAR-ROUND rental across the street from beautiful North Hampton BEACH, NH!Clean & sunny, fully furnished 2-bedroom unit w/peek-a-boo view of the ocean. Features a spacious semi-private covered porch and designated parking.Excellent location minutes from Rt 101 and 95.
Property Id: 2194792Three-bedroom, two bath beach house available for the winter. Two additional beds up on the loft (five beds total). Pool table and foosball table included in this rental. Recently painted unit. Large porch and balcony to sit out on. Lease goes through May 15, 2026. Security deposit required; no pets allowed.
Come live at the beach this winter! This top floor penthouse style unit offers lots of space and great views. There are 4 large bedrooms, two include en-suite bathrooms. Large kitchen and living room combo with dining area. Spacious second living room faces west to catch all the sunsets over the marsh. 4 off street parking spaces. HEAT AND HOT WATER INCLUDED! Washer and dryer in unit. Fireplace
The advertised rate of $4,837/month is the lowest available price, based on a 30 day(s) stay with a move-in date of May 8, 2026.Rates vary depending on the duration of stay, season, and other parameters. For exact pricing and additional pricing components, please visit our website and enter your desired move-in and move-out dates. The rate is applicable when billed upfront; it can be
FULLY FURNISHED 6th Floor Penthouse unit directly across from beach available Until May 15, 2026. Spacious two-bedroom two-bath condo with expansive open concept living area overlooking the ocean. Beautiful kitchen with plenty of storage and island seating area, dining area with table seating for 6, very large living room with two seating areas. Covered deck with outdoor furniture and direct
Property Id: 2354753Furnished winter rental running now through May 1. Beautifully furnished 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offering 1,250 square feet of comfortable living space. This delightful property features hardwood flooring throughout, a spacious balcony perfect for enjoying your morning coffee, and a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances including a dishwasher, microwave,
Available for 2 months beginning April 1 - May 31. UTILITIES/PARKING INCLUDED 2nd floor, end unit 1 bedroom fully furnished WINTER RENTAL Parking for 1 car, on-site laundry. Half a block to the Sand and Ocean. Good proximity to points north, west and south. You supply bedding and towels. Queen size bed, TV in both bedroom and living room. Kitchen is equipped with electric stove/oven,
Property Id: 2243162We have a few motel rooms available through May 15, 2026. Freshly painted units with kitchenette (full size fridge, microwave, kitchen counter space). No stove/oven but tenant can bring hot plate, air fryer, etc. Shared balcony to sit out on. Give us a call for more information. Our application can be found on our website at
WINTER RENTAL - Available Now through MAY 31, 2026. UTILITIES /WI FI (TAX AS WELL): Bring Bedding and Towels. Everything else is here. Good space for a winter rental, open concept fully applianced kitchen (with Dishwasher, Microwave, Gas Stove, Refrigerator, toaster Oven, Coffee Maker, Dishes, Pots/Pans, Utensils. Large dining table opens to large living room with two couches and a large flat
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
