New Hampshire has a cost of living index of 102 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $79,671 and a population of 659,280. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in New Hampshire.
Rochester is 3% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $79,388 and a population of 32,866.
Keene is 4% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,183 and a population of 22,923.
Concord is 6% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $83,701 and a population of 44,219.
Manchester is 9% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $77,415 and a population of 115,415.
Nashua is 18% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $92,457 and a population of 91,131.
Durham is 16% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $109,934 and a population of 10,577.
Somersworth is 6% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $79,677 and a population of 12,060.
Derry is 13% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $88,901 and a population of 21,668.
Claremont is 15% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $54,520 and a population of 13,054.
Laconia is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $68,427 and a population of 16,982.
Dover is 18% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $92,748 and a population of 33,070.
Lebanon is 19% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $92,288 and a population of 14,759.
Exeter is 15% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $83,862 and a population of 10,138.
Londonderry is 32% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $113,109 and a population of 12,307.
Portsmouth is 45% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $105,756 and a population of 22,332.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.