Cost of Living in New Hampshire 2026
15%
|
Higher Than National Avg.
New Hampshire's 2026 cost of living is
$2846 per month for singles and $6268 per month for families of four.
Living costs in New Hampshire are 15% higher than the U.S. national average.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to make informed decisions about living and working in your ideal location.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does New Hampshire's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in New Hampshire is more expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 26.0% higher than average($1512
per month for a single person and $2772 per month for a family of four).
Food expenses run 10.0%
above average at $440
monthly for an individual and $1430 for a family,
while utilities, transportation and healthcare costs are 6.4% higher at about $931 per month
for one person and $2068 for a household.
| Expense Category |
Average Monthly Expense Single Person |
Average Monthly Expense Family of Four |
Compare New Hampshire to: U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1512 | 2772 |
|
|
440 | 1430 |
|
|
206 | 354 |
|
|
404 | 858 |
|
|
321 | 856 |
|
2026 Cost of Living: New Hampshire Major Cities vs. National Average?
The cost of living varies across major New Hampshire cities. Salem, Dover,
Portsmouth ranking as the most expensive. Among New Hampshire cities, Manchester,
Bedford, Concord have the lowest cost of living.
Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of New Hampshire
A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major New Hampshire Cities compared to the national average.
The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.
About New Hampshire
New Hampshire is part of the six-state New England region. It is bounded by Quebec, Canada, to the north and northwest; Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east; Massachusetts to the south; and Vermont to the west. New Hampshire's major regions are the Great North Woods, the White Mountains, the Lakes Region, the Seacoast, the Merrimack Valley, the Monadnock Region, and the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee area. New Hampshire has the shortest ocean coastline of any U.S. coastal state, with a length of 18 miles (29 km), sometimes measured as only 13 miles (21 km). New Hampshire was home to the rock forma...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the Cost of Living in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a tax-friendly state with a low cost of living for some.
New Hampshire has no state sales tax. It is a popular destination for shoppers looking for tax-free purchases. There is also no local sales taxes making it even more attractive as a shopping destination. New Hampshire’s tax-free shopping is a day trip away from cities in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and even Rhode Island for those looking for bargains. New Hampshire is also home to numerous “outlet” stores that offer discounted products direct from the manufacturer. If you currently live in a state with a sales tax and are sick of all the “extra” costs added to each purchase, you will immediately see the advantage New Hampshire offers. Without a sales tax, the price of your purchase will be more straightforward. Automobiles, appliances, electronics, and clothing are available at reduced prices. Over time, not having to pay a tax on each purchase will help you to achieve a lower cost of living.
New Hampshire also has no state income tax. This means that if you work in New Hampshire, your paycheck will only be subject to federal income taxes, although if you have interest and dividend income from investments, those are subject to a tax. New Hampshire offsets the no-tax situation with its property taxes, which are some of the highest in the country. Depending on your housing situation, living in New Hampshire could still be a good deal if you are looking for an overall lower cost of living.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
New Hampshire is ranked number 7 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
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2026-03-26
salary.com
)
What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in . The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Last Update: 2026-03-26