11 Best NH Towns for Airbnb Investment (2026)

By New England Host Co · Updated September 22, 2026

How We Picked

We focused on towns in the New Hampshire counties New England Host Co serves (Belknap, Carroll, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Strafford), and asked one question of each: what brings overnight visitors here, and can we point to a source for it? We looked for lakes and beaches, ski areas, universities, airports, arenas and major annual events, and checked each on its official website.

We have deliberately not printed revenue, occupancy or return figures. Those numbers change quickly, depend heavily on the specific house, and are easy to misread. Our vacation rental ROI guide explains how to run your own numbers instead.

Local rules also vary from town to town and change over time. Where we mention a town's rules, we say where we read them. Everywhere else, start with our overview of New Hampshire short-term rental laws and then call the town.

1. Meredith

Meredith sits on Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee, the state's largest lake. Mount Washington Cruises, which docks on the Meredith boardwalk, describes the village's Mill Falls Marketplace and Main Street as a mix of shops, restaurants, breweries, wineries and galleries. That combination of lake access and a walkable village is what summer guests look for.

Demand drivers: Lake Winnipesaukee, lake cruises, village dining and shopping.

2. Laconia and Weirs Beach

Laconia includes Weirs Beach, with its boardwalk, docks, arcades and what the cruise company calls the area's only drive-in theater. The city also hosts Laconia Motorcycle Week, which bills itself as the world's oldest motorcycle rally; its 104th rally is scheduled for 12 to 20 June 2027.

Local rules: Laconia regulates short-term lodging through its zoning ordinance and has a dedicated city page and application (checked September 2026). Read the current ordinance and talk to the city's zoning department before you buy.

3. Gilford

Gilford is home to Gunstock Mountain Resort, which runs skiing, night skiing, tubing and cross-country trails in winter, and a summer adventure park with a zipline tour, treetop courses, scenic lift rides, a mountain coaster and camping. Ellacoya State Park, on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, has a 600-foot sandy beach, according to NH State Parks.

Demand drivers: a four-season ski area plus a public lake beach.

4. Wolfeboro

Mount Washington Cruises calls Wolfeboro one of the lake's busiest ports and notes the town's claim to be the oldest summer resort in the country. The Wolfeboro Area Chamber of Commerce calls it "The Jewel of Lake Winnipesaukee." The cruise company also points to Brewster Academy, a private school overlooking Wolfeboro Bay.

Demand drivers: the lakefront summer season and a downtown on the water.

5. Conway and North Conway

North Conway is the base for Cranmore Mountain Resort, which offers skiing, tubing and terrain parks in winter and a bike park, adventure park and scenic chairlift in the warmer months.

Local rules: In May 2023, in Town of Conway v. Kudrick, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that under the definitions in Conway's zoning ordinance at the time, short-term rentals were allowed in the residential district (as summarized by the New Hampshire Municipal Association). Towns can amend ordinances after a ruling, so check Conway's current rules before buying.

6. Lincoln

Lincoln is home to Loon Mountain Resort, which says its Gondola Skyride is the longest in New Hampshire. In the warmer months Loon offers glacial caves and an observation tower at the summit, a lift-served bike park and riverside trails along the Pemigewasset River.

Demand drivers: a major ski area with a strong summer and fall program.

7. Waterville Valley

Waterville Valley Resort was marking 60 seasons in 2026. Its website highlights fall foliage, an adventure center and events such as a car show and chili challenge, as well as winter skiing and season pass deals.

Demand drivers: a self-contained resort village in the White Mountains with year-round events.

8. Franklin

Franklin is the city on Webster Lake, where the city operates two public beaches, Griffin Beach and Lagace Beach (which has boat access). It is also home to Mill City Park, which calls itself New England's first whitewater park, on the Winnipesaukee River. New England Host Co manages Strolling Woods, an 8-bedroom Webster Lake estate in Franklin that sleeps 22.

Demand drivers: lake access, whitewater paddling, large-group stays.

9. Manchester

New Hampshire's largest city has Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, SNHU Arena for concerts and shows, the Currier Museum of Art and a Double-A ballpark. Visitors come for events, business trips and visits to friends and relatives, spread across the year rather than one season. Our list of the best things to do in Manchester, NH covers the attractions in more detail.

Demand drivers: airport access, arena events, business travel, a steady year-round calendar.

10. Hanover

Hanover is home to Dartmouth. A university town brings short visits tied to the academic calendar: campus visits, commencement, athletics and academic events.

Demand drivers: a university calendar with predictable peak weekends.

11. Durham

Durham is home to the University of New Hampshire's Durham campus. As in Hanover, the academic calendar (campus visits, commencement, athletics) shapes demand, and the Seacoast is a short drive away.

Demand drivers: a university calendar and access to the Seacoast.

Before You Buy: A Practical Checklist

Zoning and local rules. Read the town's current zoning ordinance and ask the planning or zoning office directly whether short-term rentals are allowed at that address.
State tax license. New Hampshire's Department of Revenue Administration applies its 8.5% Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax to short-term rentals, and says any short-term rental advertisement must include the operator's meals and rooms license number.
Condo and HOA rules. An association can restrict rentals even where the town allows them.
Season shape. Lake towns peak in summer, ski towns in winter, and university towns around the academic calendar. Plan for the quiet months, not just the busy ones.
Who will clean and fix things. A home two hours from anyone you trust is hard to run well. Check who can reach it quickly after each checkout.

How New England Host Co Helps

New England Host Co manages short-term rentals across Belknap, Carroll, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Strafford counties, with every home within 45 minutes of its crew's base. Pricing is reviewed daily with PriceLabs, and every stay ends with housekeeping and an inspection at the same visit. See our service area, or compare options in our list of the best Airbnb management companies in New Hampshire.

FAQ

Are Short-Term Rentals Legal in New Hampshire?

There is no single statewide answer. The state collects Meals and Rooms tax from short-term rentals, but zoning is largely local, so rules differ by town. Check the town's current ordinance before you buy.

Which New Hampshire Towns Are Busiest in Winter?

Towns next to ski areas, such as Lincoln (Loon), Waterville Valley, North Conway (Cranmore) and Gilford (Gunstock), see their winter demand from skiers and riders.

Do You Publish Expected Income for These Towns?

No. Income depends on the house, its amenities and how it is run, and published market figures go out of date quickly. Our ROI guide walks through how to estimate it for a specific property.

What Taxes Apply to a New Hampshire Short-Term Rental?

The state's Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax applies, currently 8.5% according to the Department of Revenue Administration. Talk to a tax professional about income taxes.

Best New Hampshire Towns for Airbnb Investment (2026)