East Merrimack, NH vs Peterborough, NH

Peterborough is moderately more affordable than East Merrimack, with a 9.4% lower cost of living index. East Merrimack scores 113 compared to 103 for Peterborough, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of East Merrimack can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in East Merrimack is $1,780/month compared to $1,310/month in Peterborough — a 36% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Peterborough has cheaper rent, East Merrimack actually has lower median home values ($267,900 vs $323,700).

Median household income in East Merrimack is $82,829 compared to $81,836 in Peterborough (+1.2%). East Merrimack does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of East Merrimack spend roughly 25.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19.2% in Peterborough.

Climate-wise, East Merrimack is notably warmer with an average of 50.1°F compared to 46.4°F in Peterborough. Peterborough receives more rainfall at 46.4" per year compared to 40.4" in East Merrimack.