What it actually costs to live in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire’s cost-of-living index sits at 110 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #15 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in New Hampshire costs about 10% MORE than the US average. Median home price: $395,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $1,598/mo.
New Hampshire cost components
| Component | New Hampshire | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 110 | 100 |
| Median home price | $395,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $1,598/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $206/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How New Hampshire compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, New Hampshire ranks #15 for cost. That places New Hampshire in the middle — moderate cost without being a particular outlier. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
New Hampshire metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Manchester has very different housing dynamics than smaller New Hampshire metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More New Hampshire metros coming as we expand city coverage.
New Hampshire cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's MERIC cost-of-living index is 110 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in New Hampshire costs about 10% more than the US average.
What is the median home price in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's state-level median home price is approximately $395,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $1,598/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any New Hampshire-specific cost-of-living quirks?
NH high property tax shifts COL burden to homeowners; a $400k home pays ~$7,700/yr property tax; renters indirectly bear cost via landlord pass-through.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.