Cost of Living in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has a cost of living index of 102, making it 2% more expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $79,671 (6% above the US median of $75,149). Across 92 cities tracked in New Hampshire, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across New Hampshire cities is $1,277/mo (3% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $305,796 (0% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 87-point spread between the most affordable city, Berlin (index 71), and the most expensive, Hanover (index 158) — a large gap that shows significant regional cost differences.

When evaluating New Hampshire, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in New Hampshire by population are Manchester (index 109, pop. 115,415), Nashua (index 118, pop. 91,131), Concord (index 106, pop. 44,219), Dover (index 118, pop. 33,070), and Rochester (index 97, pop. 32,866). Cost of living varies considerably even among these major population centers, highlighting the importance of comparing individual cities rather than relying on the state average alone.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.