NH Seacoast Housing Market: Early Summer 2026
By Michael Bean4 min read
The early-summer New Hampshire Seacoast market looked different from one town to the next. Official May 2026 single-family reports show fewer homes available than a year earlier in Portsmouth, Rye and Hampton, while Dover had more inventory. A single regional headline would miss that distinction.
Reporting period: This is a historical early-summer report using May 2026 closed sales and January–May 2026 year-to-date results. The NHAR reports were current as of June 5, 2026. For a more recent reporting period, read our August 2026 NH Seacoast market brief.
May 2026 single-family sales by town
The table below separates one month's median from the year-to-date median. These figures cover single-family residences, not condos or every residential property type.
| Town | May closed sales | May median sale price | Jan–May closed sales | Jan–May median sale price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 12 | $880,000 | 43 | $810,000 |
| Rye | 7 | $1,695,000 | 22 | $1,647,500 |
| Hampton | 15 | $729,900 | 37 | $825,000 |
| Dover | 17 | $680,000 | 61 | $603,500 |
Sources: NHAR Local Market Updates for Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton and Dover, May 2026.
How to read these numbers
A median is the midpoint among the homes that actually sold. With only seven May closings in Rye, a different mix of waterfront, inland, renovated and older homes can substantially change the monthly figure. A higher median does not establish how much an individual property appreciated.
The January–May column includes more transactions, but it is still a year-to-date measure. It is not a trailing 12-month median. Neither averaging town medians nor taking a median of monthly medians produces a reliable regional transaction median.
For an offer or listing decision, compare similar properties in the same area, property type and condition. Include the timing of each sale and any material differences such as water frontage, usable land, parking, renovation needs and association costs.
Inventory was not moving in one direction
May's available single-family inventory was 28 homes in Portsmouth, compared with 43 a year earlier; 15 in Rye, compared with 17; and 23 in Hampton, compared with 34. Dover moved the other way: 34 homes, compared with 28 in May 2025.
Reported months of supply were 2.2 in Portsmouth, 3.0 in Rye, 2.1 in Hampton and 1.9 in Dover. Those figures describe the relationship between inventory and the report's sales pace. They do not tell a buyer how many suitable homes will be available at a particular budget.
The practical takeaway is to build your search around your actual requirements. A town can have more inventory overall while still offering few homes with the accessibility, commute, yard or price range you need.
Portsmouth: separate the citywide number from the property
Portsmouth's May median was $880,000, while its January–May median was $810,000. The May sample contained 12 closings. Use those figures as context, then narrow your comparison to the homes that compete with the one you are considering.
For a downtown or waterfront condo search, this single-family table is the wrong comparison set. Review unit size, parking, monthly fees, reserves, assessments and building insurance alongside recent condo sales. Start with Portsmouth homes and local resources.
Rye: a small sales sample needs careful interpretation
Rye's May median of $1,695,000 came from seven single-family closings. The January–May median was $1,647,500 across 22 closings. Those are useful descriptions of the period's transactions, but neither is a price estimate for every Rye home.
For coastal property, investigate flood exposure, insurance, the location and condition of major systems, and any limits on planned improvements before relying on a comparable sale. Explore Rye real estate and our NH flood-zone guide.
Hampton: distinguish single-family and condominium searches
Hampton recorded 15 May single-family closings with a $729,900 median, compared with an $825,000 median for January through May. That difference illustrates why one month should not become a forecast for the rest of the year.
Before comparing homes, identify whether your intended use is year-round, seasonal or rental. Confirm the property's approvals, applicable local rules and insurance with the relevant professionals. Browse Hampton homes and community information.
Dover: more inventory, but still a property-specific decision
Dover's official May single-family median was $680,000 across 17 closings. Its January–May median was $603,500 across 61 closings. May inventory increased year over year, but the report still showed 1.9 months of supply.
Buyers can use a wider search area to compare tradeoffs, then test actual travel times and ownership costs. Sellers should examine their direct competition before treating an increase in townwide inventory as a reason for an automatic price adjustment. See Dover real estate and local resources.
What buyers and sellers can do with this report
- Buyers: obtain current financing terms and property-specific insurance estimates, then compare total ownership costs. This report's historical sale prices are not current mortgage quotes.
- Sellers: use recent comparable sales and active competition to establish a range, then account for condition and location. A town median cannot substitute for a property valuation.
- Relocating households: compare several towns against daily routines, housing type and budget using our NH Seacoast town comparison.
For a property-specific conversation, contact Michael Bean. Bring the address or your search priorities so the discussion can focus on relevant comparables and next steps. Our NH Seacoast resource hub connects town guides, listings and market information.