Keene, NH vs Rochester, NH

Keene, NH and Rochester, NH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Keene scores 96 while Rochester scores 97 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Keene is $1,275/month compared to $1,220/month in Rochester — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rochester has cheaper rent, Keene actually has lower median home values ($232,500 vs $262,600).

Median household income in Keene is $78,183 compared to $79,388 in Rochester (-1.5%). The higher salaries in Rochester partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Keene spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Rochester.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.4°F vs 47.7°F). Keene receives more rainfall at 46.4" per year compared to 41.2" in Rochester.