Dover

Downtown Dover is one of the oldest settlements in New England.
Downtown Dover has a good public transportation system.
The public library in Downtown Dover is a great amenity.
Hikers enjoy the Dover Community Trail in Downtown Dover.
This sculpture sits at a trailhead in Downtown Dover.

Dover, NH Area Guide

A riverside community awash in timeless New England character

Suburban Riverside Active Scenic Historic Charming

Dover, New Hampshire's oldest permanent settlement, sits along the Cochecho River, where historic brick mills have been transformed into modern apartments and businesses. Downtown Dover features local restaurants and breweries, while landmarks like Henry Law Park's waterfront playground and Garrison Hill Park's observation tower offer outdoor recreation with sweeping views of the area. Current rental data shows one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,698, while two-bedroom units typically rent for $1,946.

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire and Woodman Institute Museum anchor Dover's cultural district, housed in preserved mill buildings that celebrate the city's heritage. Housing options include apartments in restored mills and traditional New England-style homes throughout established neighborhoods near the Cochecho and Bellamy Rivers. The downtown area offers easy access to shops and restaurants, while waterfront improvements continue to enhance the riverside experience. Dover's location provides convenient access to Boston via the Amtrak Downeaster and sits just minutes from the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

Explore the City

The public library in Downtown Dover is a great amenity.

Hikers enjoy the Dover Community Trail in Downtown Dover.

This sculpture sits at a trailhead in Downtown Dover.

This tree-story home with a porch is located in Downtown Dover.

Downtown Dover is located in the southeastern part of New Hampshire.

Downtown Dover is a thriving community.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Dover, NH is $1,322 for a studio, $1,821 for one bedroom, $2,098 for two bedrooms, and $3,190 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Dover has increased by 0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,821/month
692 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Dover, NH

Learn More About Dover

7 Best Places to Live in New Hampshire

Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in New Hampshire with our detailed guide.

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Dover, NH is for everyday living.

Somewhat Walkable

60 / 100

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

Somewhat Bikeable

46 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Garrison School

Public

Grades K-5

Seacoast Charter School

Public

Grades PK-8

Dover Middle School

Public

Grades K-8

Woodman Park School

Public

Grades PK-5

Seacoast Charter School

Public

Grades PK-8

Dover Middle School

Public

Grades K-8

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Woodman Institute Museum
  • Children's Museum of New Hampshire
  • Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary
  • UNH Observatory
  • Vaughan Woods State Park

Airports

  • Portsmouth International at Pease
  • Manchester Boston Regional

Top Apartments in Dover

Houses for Rent in Dover

Property Management Companies in Dover, NH

Living in Dover

History

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Dover was the original settlement in New Hampshire, way back in 1623. It is the nation's 7th oldest community, and the cobblestone streets and historic architecture reflect that. Some notable historic locations throughout Dover include Dame Tibbetts Tavern (built in 1730), Hilton Par (the site of Dover's very first settlement in 1623), and Friends Meeting House (built in 1768).

Restaurants

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Perhaps you don't think "five-star cuisine" when you think of Dover. If so, get ready for a surprise! Dover has some amazing restaurants, ranging from seafood to pizza. Once you've discovered the perfect Dover rental, stop by Newick's Lobster House and enjoy dining by the water. Other great locations include Saigon Tokyo, Christopher's Third Street Grille, Harvey's Bakery and Coffee Shop, and La Festa Brick and Brew Pizzeria.

Transportation

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Amtrak's Downeaster line stretches 145 miles. It begins at North Station in Boston, Massachusetts and extends all the way north to Brunswick, Maine. There are 10 stops along this route, with Dover being one -- catch the train at the Dover Transportation Center. The train's next stop after the Transportation Center is the Durham-UNH station, located on the University of New Hampshire campus. This makes Dover rentals ideal for students and faculty -- just look for an apartment close to the Transportation Center -- it is located at 33 Chestnut Street.

Cost

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While the cost of renting an apartment has increased in Dover, you can still find great deals! Studios are available from just under $1,000, with larger two- and three-bedroom apartments reaching $1,600 or more.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.