Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and Zillow. For informational use only. Not financial advice.
Free Data · 2026
📍 New Hampshire · Cost of Living 2026

Cost of Living in
New Hampshire 2026

Real numbers on housing, income, taxes, and what salary you actually need to live comfortably in New Hampshire.

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📊 New Hampshire at a Glance — 2026

Cost of Living Index
121
US average = 100 · Above Average
Median Household Income
$82,000
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Average 1BR Rent
$1,500/mo
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index
State Income Tax
None — 0%
No state income tax
Average Home Price
$420,000
Source: Zillow Home Value Index
Salary Needed (30% rule)
$60,000
To keep housing under 30% of income

📈 New Hampshire vs the National Average

Cost of Living
121
New Hampshire runs 21% above the national average (index 121 vs. the U.S. baseline of 100). New Hampshire's overall costs are moderate, but its proximity to Boston pulls up housing prices in the southern part of the state. On the tax side, New Hampshire applies no tax on wage income, though it does tax interest and dividend income specifically.

💡 What Salary Do You Need in New Hampshire?

Using the 50/30/20 budget rule, housing should cost no more than 30% of your gross income. With average rent at $1,500/month in New Hampshire, you need roughly $60,000/year to live comfortably without being housing-cost-burdened.

Find out exactly how much you take home after New Hampshire taxes

💰 Calculate New Hampshire Take-Home Pay → 🏡 See How Much Home You Can Afford →
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Is New Hampshire expensive to live in?
New Hampshire's cost of living index is 121, where 100 is the U.S. average — that's 21% above the national average. New Hampshire's overall costs are moderate, but its proximity to Boston pulls up housing prices in the southern part of the state. The biggest local industries are technology and manufacturing, and a large share of workers commuting into the Boston metro, centered around Manchester and Nashua.
What is the average rent in New Hampshire in 2026?
A 1-bedroom apartment in New Hampshire averages $1,500/month as of 2026 (Zillow Observed Rent Index). That's set against a median household income of $82,000/year, so rent alone runs roughly 22% of the typical household's pre-tax income.
What salary do you need to live in New Hampshire?
Following the standard 30%-of-income guideline for housing, you'd want roughly $60,000/year to cover New Hampshire's average rent comfortably. That's a general rule of thumb, not a hard rule — your real number depends on debt, family size, and where in New Hampshire you're looking. Our free paycheck calculator shows your actual take-home pay after New Hampshire taxes.
Does New Hampshire have a state income tax?
New Hampshire applies no tax on wage income, though it does tax interest and dividend income specifically. Use our free paycheck calculator to see exactly how that affects your specific take-home pay.

🔗 More Free Tools

💰 PayCalc Pro — See your take-home pay after New Hampshire taxes 🏡 HomeBuy Calc — How much home can you afford in New Hampshire? 📊 Compare All 50 States — Cost of Living by State 2026

Cost of Living in New Hampshire 2026 — Full Guide

New Hampshire's cost of living index sits at 121, meaning it runs 21% above the national average. New Hampshire's overall costs are moderate, but its proximity to Boston pulls up housing prices in the southern part of the state.

New Hampshire's Economy

New Hampshire's economy centers on technology and manufacturing, and a large share of workers commuting into the Boston metro, with most of that activity concentrated around Manchester and Nashua. That local economic base shapes everything from job availability to how quickly housing supply responds to demand — a state built around a few large employers behaves very differently, cost-wise, than one with a diversified metro economy.

Housing Costs in New Hampshire

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in New Hampshire is approximately $1,500 per month in 2026. Average home values sit around $420,000. New Hampshire's overall costs are moderate, but its proximity to Boston pulls up housing prices in the southern part of the state.

Taxes in New Hampshire

New Hampshire applies no tax on wage income, though it does tax interest and dividend income specifically. Combined with federal taxes, this determines your real take-home pay — use our free paycheck calculator to see the exact impact on your specific salary rather than relying on a statewide average.

Data Sources

Cost of living index data is based on the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) methodology. Income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). Rent data is sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. All figures represent approximations and should be verified with official sources for financial planning.

All data is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.