North Andover vs Southern NH Housing Market Explained

Are you deciding between buying in North Andover or heading just over the border to southern New Hampshire? You are not alone. Many buyers compare price, taxes, and what the closing process looks like before they choose a side. In this guide, you will see how prices and property taxes stack up, what you typically get for your money, and how the closing steps differ so you can budget and plan with confidence. Let’s dive in.

North Andover vs southern NH: market snapshot

Monthly medians move, but the current snapshots below give you a fast read on price and pace. Always confirm with a 12‑month view when you are ready to write an offer.

• North Andover, MA: median sale price about $660,000, price per square foot near $363, and median days on market around 21, based on recent monthly data from Redfin. See the latest on the North Andover market page.
• Nashua, NH: median sale price about $504,000, price per square foot near $305, and median days on market around 25. Check the Nashua market snapshot.
• Salem, NH: median sale price about $565,000, price per square foot near $297, and median days on market around 42. See the Salem market snapshot.
• Merrimack, NH: Realtor.com shows a median near $490,000 on its town page. View the Merrimack overview.

What this means for you: North Andover typically prices above nearby southern NH towns. If your target budget is below roughly $660,000, you will usually see more inventory and lower list prices in southern NH. If you want a shorter commute to Boston-area amenities and more established infill neighborhoods, North Andover often commands a premium.

Price vs property tax: what really affects your payment

Purchase price is only part of the story. Property tax rates vary by town and can change your yearly carrying cost more than you expect.

• North Andover’s posted residential tax rate is $11.26 per $1,000 of assessed value. Confirm the fiscal year and details with the North Andover Assessor.
• New Hampshire towns set their own rates each year. For example, Merrimack shows $22.11 per $1,000 for a recent year on its assessing page. See current details from Merrimack Assessing. Nashua’s recent published rate is $15.90 per $1,000.

Here are simple, rounded examples based on recent medians to show how rate differences affect annual property taxes:

• North Andover example: $660,000 × 0.01126 ≈ $7,432 per year.
• Nashua example: $504,000 × 0.01590 ≈ $8,014 per year.
• Merrimack example: $490,000 × 0.02211 ≈ $10,844 per year.

The takeaway: Even though many southern NH towns have lower purchase prices, the higher tax rates can narrow or outweigh your expected annual savings. Always compare total monthly cost, not just list price. Build a side-by-side that includes principal and interest, property tax, insurance, and any HOA dues.

Closing costs and process: MA vs NH

Understanding who pays which tax and who runs the closing helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Transfer taxes at closing

• Massachusetts: A statewide deeds excise applies at about 0.456 percent of the sale price, often paid by the seller unless the contract says otherwise. Review the rate guidance from the Commonwealth’s directive on deeds excise.
• New Hampshire: The state real estate transfer tax is $0.75 per $100 of consideration, assessed to both buyer and seller under the statute. Many refer to the combined effect as $15 per $1,000 when each party pays their share. See the statute summary for the NH transfer tax.

What this means: In Massachusetts, sellers commonly cover the excise. In New Hampshire, both sides have statutory liability, and who pays can be negotiated. This difference can change a buyer’s cash to close. Model it for each property.

Who runs the closing

• Massachusetts: Closings are generally attorney led. Expect attorney involvement at Purchase and Sale and at closing. For background on the closing role in MA, see this overview of the process to become a signing agent in an attorney state like Massachusetts.
• New Hampshire: Many transactions use a title and escrow model. Attorney involvement is still possible, but a title company commonly coordinates settlement. Practice varies by lender and by region.

Typical timelines and contingencies

In both states, a financed purchase often closes in 30 to 60 days after offer acceptance. Inspection periods are commonly about 5 to 10 days, followed by a mortgage commitment deadline around 30 to 45 days. Form language and mechanics differ by state, so confirm each milestone in your executed contract.

What you get for your money

North Andover: established neighborhoods and convenience

North Andover offers established single-family neighborhoods, with some townhouse and condo options near the center. Lots can be smaller than what you will find in more rural parts of southern NH, and price per square foot trends higher due to proximity to the Boston metro and denser development patterns. You can track price and pace on the North Andover market page.

Southern NH: more house and land per dollar

Many southern NH suburbs show a higher share of detached single-family homes, newer subdivisions, and active new construction. If you value larger lots and newer builds at the same budget, southern NH often delivers more choice. Regional planning data highlights these patterns across the area. Explore the region’s housing makeup via the Southern NH Planning Commission.

A simple decision checklist

Use this quick framework to compare options across the border.

1. Define your monthly comfort zone

• Ask your lender for payment estimates at likely price points. Add property tax using each town’s published rate, plus a realistic insurance estimate.

2. Compare medians to your budget

• If your budget sits below North Andover’s recent median near $660,000, you will usually find more inventory in towns like Nashua, Salem, and Merrimack. See current figures for Nashua, Salem, and Merrimack.

3. Model property taxes and closing costs

• Use each town’s posted tax rate to compare yearly carrying cost. Include the MA deeds excise or NH transfer tax in your cash-to-close plan. Reference the North Andover Assessor, Merrimack Assessing, MA deeds excise, and NH transfer tax.

4. Choose your process preferences

• If you want attorney-led contract review and closing, factor in those fees and timelines in MA. If you prefer a title and escrow workflow, expect a different fee mix in NH.

5. Watch market heat and timing

• Low days on market and rising price per square foot mean you should be preapproved and ready to make clean, realistic offers. Use a cross-border agent to track conditions in both areas and to adjust terms by town.

Example: same budget, different outcomes

Let’s say you are targeting a home around the recent North Andover median of $660,000. In North Andover, the annual property tax estimate using the posted rate is about $7,432. In Nashua, a recent median of $504,000 paired with Nashua’s posted rate estimates about $8,014 per year. In Merrimack, the town page’s recent rate combined with a median near $490,000 estimates about $10,844 per year. These examples show why it helps to run the full math. A lower purchase price in NH does not always create a lower total monthly cost once you factor in taxes. The right answer depends on your target town, property type, and priorities.

Who should consider each area

• Choose North Andover if you want shorter access to Boston-area services, established neighborhoods, and an attorney-led closing process. You will likely pay more per square foot and see smaller lots at a given price point.
• Choose southern NH if you want more house and land at the same budget or prefer newer subdivisions and active new construction. Be sure to test your property tax and closing cost estimates because town rates vary widely.

When you weigh both sides, the best fit is usually clear once you compare total monthly cost, commute and lifestyle, and your closing process preferences.

If you want a side-by-side cost breakdown for your shortlist and help navigating cross-state timelines, connect with Rebecca Curran. You will get clear numbers, a focused search plan, and steady guidance from offer through closing.

FAQs

How do North Andover home prices compare to southern NH right now?

• Recent snapshots show North Andover around $660,000, while Nashua sits near $504,000 and Salem near $565,000, with Merrimack around $490,000 based on Redfin and Realtor town pages.

Are property taxes higher in southern NH even without an income tax?

• Many southern NH towns post higher property tax rates than North Andover, so annual taxes can be similar to or higher than MA for a given home price, which is why you should compare total monthly cost.

Who pays transfer taxes in MA vs NH at closing?

• In MA the deeds excise is typically paid by the seller, while in NH the statute applies the transfer tax to both buyer and seller, and you can negotiate who pays in the purchase contract.

What is different about the closing process between MA and NH?

• Massachusetts closings are generally attorney led, while many NH deals use a title and escrow model, which changes the fee mix and how your settlement is coordinated.

How fast do homes sell in these areas?

• Monthly snapshots show North Andover around three weeks on market, Nashua about three to four weeks, and Salem a bit longer; always check a 12‑month view before you set offer terms.

How should I set a realistic budget when comparing towns across the border?

• Define your monthly comfort number, then add each town’s property tax estimate and typical closing costs by state so you can compare total cost for similar homes in different towns.