Is Keene Safe, Pros and cons of living in Keene

Keene, New Hampshire, offers a blend of New England charm and a growing community atmosphere. Situated in Cheshire County, it serves as the county seat and is known for its historic downtown and vibrant local culture. The city is home to educational institutions like Keene State College and Antioch University New England, contributing to its dynamic population.

This guide explores the key aspects of living in Keene, covering its safety, cost of living, housing market, employment opportunities, climate, education system, and demographics. Understanding these factors can help individuals and families make informed decisions about relocating to this New Hampshire city.

Is it Safe to Live in Keene?

Keene’s overall crime rate is 11% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The city experiences an average of 1.47 daily crimes, with a breakdown of 0.11 violent incidents and 1.36 property-related offenses per day (as reported by AreaVibes). There is a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Keene (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crime in Keene is reported at a rate of 179 per 100,000 residents, which is 50.1% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, property crime in Keene is higher than the national average, with 2173 reported per 100,000 people, which is 23.5% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Year over year, the number of violent crimes has increased by 10%, while property crime has decreased by 10% (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Keene is considered expensive, ranking within the top 13% of the most expensive cities globally (as reported by Livingcost.org). The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $2346, and for a family of four, it is $5638 (as reported by Livingcost.org). This is 13% higher than the U.S. national average and 12% lower than New Hampshire’s state average (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing costs are a significant factor, with monthly expenses for a single person at $1214 and for a family of four at $2225 (as reported by Salary.com). Food expenses are 15.1% below the national average, at $339 monthly for an individual (as reported by Salary.com). Energy, transportation, and healthcare costs are approximately 1.6% lower than the national average, around $861 per month for one person (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing Costs

The median home price in Keene was $400,000 in March 2026, an increase of 8.8% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The median rental price in Keene is $1,700 per month, which has risen by 13.33% year-over-year (as reported by Realtor.com® Research). The average rent for an apartment in Keene is $1,675 per month (as reported by Zillow).

A studio apartment in Keene averages $1,350 per month, a one-bedroom averages $1,395, and a two-bedroom averages $1,800 (as reported by Zillow). For houses, the average monthly rent ranges between $700 and $2,720 (as reported by Zillow). There are currently 44 rental properties available in Keene (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economy

Keene’s unemployment rate is currently at 2.70%, which is lower than the long-term average of 3.58% (as reported by YCharts). This low unemployment rate suggests a relatively stable local economy. The city’s unemployment rate has shown a slight decrease from the previous year’s 2.60% (as reported by YCharts).

The average annual salary in Keene is approximately $59,050, which equates to about $28.39 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Salaries in Keene typically range between $37,663 and $81,250 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Some high-demand jobs, such as Sterile Processing Technician, Financial Analyst, and Landscaper, offer salaries that are higher than the city’s average (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Major Employers

Keene is home to several significant employers that contribute to its economic landscape. Elliot Hospital is a major healthcare provider in the region. C&S Wholesale Grocers is a large employer in the logistics and wholesale sector. Other key employers include Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock, a prominent healthcare facility, and Keene State College, a significant educational institution and employer.

Climate and Weather

Keene experiences a climate characterized by warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters, with partly cloudy conditions throughout the year. The temperature typically fluctuates between 12°F and 81°F, rarely dropping below -6°F or exceeding 89°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warmest month is July, with average highs of 81°F and lows of 59°F, while January is the coldest, with average lows of 13°F and highs of 32°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The city receives an average of 3.89 inches of rainfall in July, and the total annual rainfall is not explicitly stated in the provided data. Snowfall is characteristic of the winter months, with the cold season lasting from December to March. The clearest part of the year is from late June to late October, with August being the clearest month (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education System

The Keene School District serves the city’s student population. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1, with 30% of students proficient in math and 51% in reading, according to state test scores (as reported by Niche). Symonds Elementary School and Wheelock Elementary School are among the elementary schools within the district, with Symonds Elementary School receiving a B rating (as reported by Niche).

Keene High School, serving grades 9-12, has a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. State test scores indicate that 21% of students are proficient in math and 57% in reading (as reported by Niche). Keene is also home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, which contribute to the educational landscape of the city.

Demographics

Keene has an estimated population of 22,939, showing a slight decrease from the 2020 census figure of 23,047 (as reported by Census Dots). The population is predominantly White, accounting for 91.4% of residents, followed by Multiracial at 4.0%, Hispanic at 1.9%, Black at 1.7%, and Asian at 0.7% (as reported by Census Dots). The city has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census and is less diverse than New Hampshire overall (as reported by Census Dots).

The median age in Keene is 37.6 years, with males at 35.9 years and females at 39.8 years (as reported by World Population Review). The median household income is $78,445, with a poverty rate of 10.11% (as reported by World Population Review). For full-time, year-round workers, the median income is $64,980 for males and $51,710 for females (as reported by Neilsberg).