Hampton Beach, NH vs West Swanzey, NH

West Swanzey is moderately more affordable than Hampton Beach, with a 13.7% lower cost of living index. Hampton Beach scores 119 compared to 105 for West Swanzey, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hampton Beach can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hampton Beach is $1,454/month compared to $1,685/month in West Swanzey — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hampton Beach has cheaper rent, West Swanzey actually has lower median home values ($193,100 vs $443,200).

Median household income in Hampton Beach is $75,363 compared to $52,241 in West Swanzey (+44.3%). While Hampton Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hampton Beach spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, less than the 38.7% in West Swanzey. The Hampton Beach ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.9°F vs 46.4°F). Hampton Beach receives more rainfall at 47" per year compared to 46.4" in West Swanzey.