New Hampshire Cost of Living Calculator

Understanding the cost of living in New Hampshire means looking at taxes, housing, and everyday expenses together. New Hampshire has no state income tax, which can significantly boost take-home pay compared to jurisdictions that do. The average property tax rate is 1.86%, and the state sales tax rate is 0.00%.

Cost of living varies dramatically across New Hampshire — metropolitan areas, especially state capitals and major employment centers, typically run 10–30% above small-town and rural rates. Housing is by far the largest single component of any cost-of-living index, accounting for 30–35% of total expenditure for most households, followed by transportation (~15%), food (~12%), and healthcare (~8%).

When comparing cities, watch the headline COL index but also check housing-affordability separately: a 110-index city may have an outsized 140 housing index that dominates the average. New Hampshire's lack of state income tax is a notable affordability advantage when comparing salaries against income-tax states. Use this calculator to translate a salary in one city into the equivalent purchasing power in another.

New Hampshire's cost-of-living index of 105.4 is moderate — driven by housing in southern NH (Boston commuter belt) and lakes-region resort areas. Manchester median rent is $1,800, Nashua $1,900, Portsmouth $2,200. NH has neither state income tax (on wages) nor general sales tax — among the country's most tax-friendly states for residents — but property taxes are the country's 3rd-highest (~1.93% effective). Property tax bills of $8K-$12K on a typical $400K NH home are common. Energy costs are elevated. Healthcare access is excellent in Hanover (Dartmouth) and Manchester but limited in the North Country.