Like everywhere else in America, and across the world, New Hampshire features both good and bad news when it comes to the cost of living, salaries, and affordability. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to live comfortably in New Hampshire, we have the numbers for you as compared with the rest of the country, but just a warning: you might not like it.

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While the cost of living in New Hampshire is higher compared to America as a whole, compared to nearby metro areas like Boston, Massachusetts, and Albany, New York, living in New Hampshire is quite reasonable. Salaries in New Hampshire also tend to be less, but the tax advantages are considerable, and our state has some of the highest standards of living in the country.
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Many online costs of living calculators use 100 as the average measure of the cost of living in the United States, with amounts higher than 100 indicating a cost of living higher than average and amounts lower than 100 representing less expensive costs of living.

The average across New Hampshire is 117, factoring in the cost of housing, groceries, healthcare, transportation, utilities, and miscellaneous expenses. This does differ depending on where within New Hampshire you call home, with Portsmouth being the most expensive at a 146 index.
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An article at GoBankingRates.com states that a resident of New Hampshire would need to make approximately $69,920 per year in order to afford a single-family residence without having their monthly rent consume more than 30 percent of their total income.

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With a median rent of $1,748 across the state, it would be difficult for someone earning the average annual income in New Hampshire to comfortably afford rent. Why? Because the average annual wage in the state is $51,040 — more than $18,000 less than what you would need to afford rent.
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Of course, housing costs aren’t the only factor in determining whether you can live comfortably or not. New Hampshire ranks at No. 6 on HowMuch’s list of States with the Highest Total Cost for Utilities, costing an average of $477.02 per month. Utility figures include electricity, natural gas, internet, cable, and water.
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But it’s not all bad: New Hampshire residents have the third-lowest automobile insurance premiums in the country, as well as poverty and unemployment rates below the national average.
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We must also remember that while wages might be low and the cost of living might be high, the quality of life is unlike any other you’ll find in America — in a good way. New Hampshire is a wonderfully charming and beautiful state, and we are so, so lucky to call it home.

If you need more reasons to move here, take a tour of some of the most affordable small towns in the state:

Tell us, do you think you live comfortably in New Hampshire? Is living in NH worth the cost for you and your family? Share your opinions in the comments below, then take a look at these amazing photos to remind yourself of what makes the Granite State the best in America.

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Wonderful Places To Live In New Hampshire

William Suphan | January 12, 2023

What are the most charming small towns in New Hampshire?

The most charming small towns in New Hampshire include:

  • Goshen. This is a gorgeous little town that has a trickling stream running through it and is surrounded by beautiful hiking trails.
  • Brentwood. This tiny rural town is surrounded by lush forests and has fields of farmlands, creating a scene of bucolic beauty.
  • Candia. With charming old Colonial houses and swaths of green trees, this is a quaint and lovely place to be.
  • Easton. This town only has 250 people and sits at the edge of the White Mountain National Forest.

Discover more about the most charming small towns in New Hampshire. 

What are the best waterfront towns in New Hampshire?

The best waterfront towns in New Hampshire include:

  • Holderness. You’ll find this gorgeous town on the shores of Squam Lake and you can hike up Rattlesnake Mountain for stunning views.
  • Harrisville. This town is a National Historic Landmark and is surrounded by Harrisville Pond and Skatutakee Lake.
  • Woodstock. This is a lovely little town overlooking the Pemigewasset River and has the gorgeous Lost River Gorge.
  • Newcastle. You can’t get more waterfront than a town on a series of islands nestled where the Piscataqua River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Learn more about the best waterfront towns in New Hampshire.

What are the best mid-sized towns in New Hampshire?

The best mid-sized towns in New Hampshire include:

  • Peterborough. This town of just over 6,000 people is completely powered by sustainable energy sources and has a fantastic arts scene.
  • Hopkinton. This quaint town has an excellent public school system and throws the largest agricultural fair in the state every autumn.
  • Littleton. This town is simply gorgeous with historic watermills nestled on the Ammonoosuc River.
  • North Hampton. This seaside town has just enough city modernity and enough rural charm to be the best of both worlds.

Find out more about the best mid-sized towns in New Hampshire. 

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