United States
Cost of living in New Hampshire
Cost of living in New Hampshire carries a Regional Price Parity of 104.2, placing it 4 percent above the national average and ninth nationally. The defining financial fact about New Hampshire is the complete absence of both a state income tax on wages and a state sales tax. The interest and dividends tax, which had been a remnant tax on investment income, was fully repealed as of January 1, 2025, leaving New Hampshire with no state-level tax on personal income of any kind. For a wage earner or retiree drawing from investment accounts, this is a material advantage. The state's cost premium over the national average is driven primarily by housing, which reflects proximity to the Boston labor market for the southern part of the state, and a general New England price level for goods and services in the north.
Price level
104.2
US = 100
National rank
9th
of 51, dearest first
Income tax
None
none
Sales tax
0%
state base rate
What your salary is worth in New Hampshire
Because prices here sit at 104.2 against the national 100, the same paycheck stretches differently than it would elsewhere. These figures hold buying power constant: the salary listed is what you would need in New Hampshire to live as you would on the reference amount in another place.
| Same lifestyle as | $60,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| US average | $62,520 | $104,200 |
| California (dearest) | $56,477 | $94,128 |
| Arkansas (cheapest) | $71,945 | $119,908 |
Compare New Hampshire with anywhere in the US
To live the same in California you need
$74,367
to match $70,000 in New Hampshire
Price level, US = 100
The equivalent salary keeps your purchasing power constant: it is your pay scaled by the ratio of the two price levels. Regional Price Parities measure what a fixed basket of goods and services costs locally. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.
New Hampshire in context
New Hampshire's tax structure makes it an appealing destination for those who can work remotely or are near retirement, since the absence of income and sales taxes preserves more of each dollar earned or spent. The trade-off is a reliance on property taxes to fund local services, and New Hampshire's effective property tax rates are among the highest in the nation, a point that is not visible in the RPP figure or the tax summary but significantly affects housing affordability for owners. Renters face this indirectly through higher rents in towns with elevated property tax burdens. The southern tier, particularly communities within commuting range of Manchester, Nashua, and the Massachusetts border, carries prices that approach the Boston suburbs, while the Lakes Region and North Country are noticeably less expensive. The state suits retirees, remote workers, and business owners who want to shelter income from state taxation while remaining in the Northeast, accepting higher property costs in exchange.
The closest state above New Hampshire on price is Maryland at 105. Just below sits Connecticut at 103.6.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Hampshire expensive to live in?
New Hampshire sits at a price level of 104.2 where the US average is 100, so a typical basket of goods and services costs about 4% more than the national norm. That ranks it 9th most expensive of 51 states. Housing is usually the largest single driver of the gap.
What salary do you need in New Hampshire?
To match the buying power of $60,000 earned at the US average, you would need about $62,520 in New Hampshire. The figure scales with the price level: a place dearer than average needs more, a cheaper one needs less. Your own number also depends on housing choice and household size.
How much tax does New Hampshire charge?
New Hampshire applies no state income tax and a base state sales tax of 0%. The interest & dividends tax was fully repealed effective Jan 1, 2025; wage income is not taxed, so treated as none. No state sales tax. Local jurisdictions can add their own sales tax on top.
Cost of living in other states
Price levels are Regional Price Parities from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities (SARPP, MARPP), 2024 (public domain). State tax figures are the latest published rates from state revenue departments. All figures are estimates for general comparison and not financial advice; your own costs depend on housing, household size and lifestyle.