Norwich Or Hanover: Which Fits Your Dartmouth Move?

Choosing between Norwich, VT and Hanover, NH is one of the first big decisions you face with a Dartmouth or DHMC move. The towns sit across the Connecticut River from each other, yet they offer different daily rhythms, tax structures, and housing styles. In a few minutes, you can get a clear, side‑by‑side picture of commutes, schools, costs, neighborhoods, and what life feels like in each. Let’s dive in.

The quick take

• Commute: Both towns are minutes from Dartmouth and DHMC. Advance Transit runs fare‑free buses that connect Norwich, Hanover, and DHMC.
• Schools: Norwich and Hanover share middle and high schools through the interstate Dresden/SAU 70 system. Norwich families typically attend Marion Cross for elementary, then the shared middle/high schools.
• Taxes: Hanover is in tax‑friendly New Hampshire, which does not tax wages or general sales. Norwich is in Vermont, which has a progressive income tax and a statewide sales tax.
• Housing feel: Hanover is more walkable and campus‑centric. Norwich offers a village‑and‑rural Vermont setting with larger lots and trail access.

Commute and transportation

Norwich and Hanover are neighbors. From central Norwich village, you can often reach Dartmouth’s Green in about 5 to 15 minutes by car. From Hanover neighborhoods to DHMC, the drive is commonly about 5 to 12 minutes, depending on origin, parking, and time of day.

If you prefer not to drive, Advance Transit operates fare‑free routes that knit the area together. The Brown Route links Norwich to the Dartmouth campus, and other routes and shuttles connect Hanover and Lebanon to DHMC and its employee lots. Service is popular with students, faculty, and hospital staff for predictable, no‑cost commuting. Check current schedules on the Advance Transit Dartmouth service page.

Hanover’s downtown and campus core are compact and walkable, which makes biking or walking realistic for many. Norwich includes a traditional village and more rural roads; if you live outside the village, you will likely drive to the bridge or to a bus stop. During peak shifts at DHMC or major college events, expect occasional slowdowns and plan your parking strategy.

Schools and the SAU 70 interstate setup

A unique feature of the Upper Valley is the interstate Dresden/SAU 70 arrangement spanning Norwich and Hanover. Norwich families attend Marion Cross School for elementary grades, then transition to the shared middle and high schools that serve both towns.

• Elementary: Marion Cross School anchors the Norwich village experience. Explore programs and community events on the Marion Cross School site.
• Middle and high school: Students from both towns attend Francis C. Richmond Middle School and Hanover High School, operated under the Dresden School District. Learn more about the structure and policies on the SAU 70 district page.

Because the public K–12 path beyond elementary is shared, many families choose Norwich for its Vermont village lifestyle while still accessing the same middle and high schools as Hanover residents. If schooling is central to your move, review curricula and current policies on the district sites.

Taxes and everyday costs

At the state level, the two sides of the river differ in meaningful ways.

• New Hampshire (Hanover): NH does not tax wage income and has no general sales tax. The state’s Interest and Dividends tax was repealed effective January 1, 2025. For many wage earners, this reduces state‑level income tax exposure. See coverage of the change in the Nashua Telegraph.
• Vermont (Norwich): VT levies a progressive state income tax and a statewide sales and use tax, generally 6 percent with possible 1 percent local add‑ons. You can review the income tax statute framework via the Vermont Legislature site.

Property taxes also vary by town and school budgeting. Hanover publishes its annual tax rate by component and includes sample bill calculations so you can translate an assessed value into an estimated annual tax. Review the details on the Town of Hanover tax page.

Norwich, with higher price points than many Vermont towns, often sees property tax bills in the many‑thousands‑per‑year range for larger homes. Aggregators provide directional estimates for Norwich’s effective taxes, such as this Norwich property tax summary. Final amounts depend on assessed value and annual town and school rates, so verify current figures before you buy.

Practical takeaway: If your household compensation is mostly salary, a Hanover address can reduce state income taxes on wages. If you value Vermont residency and the Norwich lifestyle, paying Vermont income tax may be acceptable within your total cost picture. Always consult a tax advisor to weigh income, property taxes, and any available credits.

Housing options and price points

Recent marketplace indicators show Hanover’s typical home values trending above Norwich’s. Both towns sit well above broader regional medians and inventory is often thin.

• Norwich: You will see classic New England Colonial and Federal‑style village homes, renovated farmhouses, and architect‑designed mid‑century and contemporary houses on surrounding ridges. The Norwich Historical Society’s resources capture the town’s historic and architectural character; explore highlights on the Historic Preservation page.
• Hanover: Housing is more campus‑centric and walkable, from single‑family homes and classic cottages near the Green to some multi‑unit and student‑oriented rentals in select areas. Limited infill opportunities and proximity to Dartmouth drive steady demand.

As a planning guide, buyers commonly encounter Norwich single‑family homes starting in the mid to high $600,000s and reaching $1 million or more depending on size, setting, and updates. In Hanover, single‑family prices frequently start higher on average, with many listings at $1 million and above in walkable locations. Verify current medians and active inventory right before you tour.

Everyday living and amenities

• Norwich, VT: A village green, community traditions, and immediate access to trails and conserved land shape daily life. Marion Cross School’s Mayfest is a long‑running local celebration, and the town’s trail network and open spaces make it easy to get outside. Architecturally, Norwich blends historic village streets with mid‑century and contemporary homes in the hills. The Norwich Historical Society offers context for many of these districts.

• Hanover, NH: A compact college town with the Dartmouth Green, shops, restaurants, and major cultural venues like the Hopkins Center and Hood Museum. Many errands can be done on foot from in‑town neighborhoods, and campus programming keeps the center active year‑round.

• Services and shopping: Larger grocery and retail options cluster in Lebanon and West Lebanon, a short drive from either town. If you prefer a quieter village setting at home with quick access to big‑box stores, both sides work well.

• Outdoors: The area offers Appalachian Trail access, local conservation lands such as the Norwich Nature Area, and four‑season river and mountain recreation. Regional trail and route resources like Dirt 251 can help you explore.

Which side fits you? A quick checklist

Use these prompts to clarify your priorities:

• Do you want true walkability to campus and downtown errands? If yes, Hanover is often the better fit.
• Do you want a Vermont village or rural feel with larger lots and trail access, and you are comfortable with Vermont income tax? If yes, Norwich is a frequent choice.
• Is your compensation mostly salary and you want to reduce state income taxes on wages? If yes, a Hanover address can help. Review the I&D repeal and NH tax context in the Nashua Telegraph report, and confirm details with your advisor.
• Is public K–12 central to your move? Remember, Norwich and Hanover share the middle and high schools through SAU 70. See the SAU 70 overview.
• Will you commute to DHMC most days? Review the fare‑free bus network that links Norwich, Hanover, and DHMC on the Advance Transit Dartmouth page.

How to get started

Walk the two village centers, ride an Advance Transit route at commute time, and review each town’s current tax pages before you compare monthly costs. If schools are a driver, call the SAU 70 offices and Marion Cross School to confirm enrollment paths and program details.

When you are ready for curated property options, cross‑state guidance, and a clear offer strategy, connect with Alan DiStasio for local insight anchored in decades of Upper Valley experience.

FAQs

How long is the commute from Norwich to Dartmouth or DHMC?

• Plan about 5 to 15 minutes by car from Norwich village to the Dartmouth Green and about 5 to 12 minutes from Hanover neighborhoods to DHMC; Advance Transit offers fare‑free routes between both.

How do Norwich families access Hanover High School?

• Norwich and Hanover share middle and high schools through the interstate Dresden/SAU 70 structure; see the district overview at the SAU 70 site.

Which is more tax‑advantaged, Norwich or Hanover?

• Hanover is in New Hampshire, which does not tax wages or general sales, while Norwich is in Vermont with a progressive income tax and statewide sales tax; weigh these with local property taxes and consult an advisor.

What home styles will I find in each town?

• Norwich blends historic village Colonials and farmhouses with mid‑century and contemporary homes on surrounding ridges, while Hanover offers more walkable, campus‑centric single‑family homes and some multi‑unit options.

Where are the main shopping hubs for both towns?

• Daily needs are met in each village, but most larger grocery and retail stores are in nearby Lebanon and West Lebanon, a short drive from either Norwich or Hanover.

Can I live car‑free in the Upper Valley?

• Some Hanover residents manage with walking, biking, and fare‑free Advance Transit service, while Norwich’s rural layout makes car‑free living harder outside the village core.