Cost of Living in New Hampshire
Updated November 2026 · population 1,394,868
New Hampshire prices are 4.2% above the US average (index 104.2), ranking 9th most expensive of 51 states and DC; utilities is the biggest cost driver at 133.7, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,833 a month.
Prices by category
New Hampshire price index by category, US average = 100: All items 104.2, Housing (rents) 114.9, Goods 98.6, Utilities 133.7, Other services 103.9
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire (whole state) | 104.2 |
| Metropolitan areas of New Hampshire | 106.2 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of New Hampshire | 100.5 |
Cities in New Hampshire
Select a column heading to sort.
| Manchester | 115,643 | 106.5 | $2,915 | $5,691 | $1,564 | $365,600 |
| Nashua | 91,294 | 109.1 | $3,133 | $6,033 | $1,737 | $403,900 |
Metro areas in New Hampshire
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 108.3 | 148.4 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 105.7 | 134.2 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of New Hampshire.
Modelled monthly budget at New Hampshire average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for New Hampshire (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,043 | $12,516 | 37% |
| Utilities | $331 | $3,972 | 12% |
| Food at home | $278 | $3,336 | 10% |
| Transportation | $649 | $7,788 | 23% |
| Health care | $365 | $4,380 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $167 | $2,004 | 6% |
| Total | $2,833 | $33,996 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for New Hampshire (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,459 | $17,508 | 30% |
| Utilities | $528 | $6,336 | 11% |
| Food at home | $513 | $6,156 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,285 | $15,420 | 27% |
| Health care | $677 | $8,124 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $330 | $3,960 | 7% |
| Total | $4,792 | $57,504 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for New Hampshire (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,614 | $19,368 | 28% |
| Utilities | $643 | $7,716 | 11% |
| Food at home | $732 | $8,784 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,707 | $20,484 | 30% |
| Health care | $631 | $7,572 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $424 | $5,088 | 7% |
| Total | $5,751 | $69,012 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
27.64¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +13.1% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: New England (PADD 1A)
$4.14/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +41.4% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Northeast region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 104.0 | 105.3 | 102.6 | 107.8 | 105.4 | 104.2 |
Change over the period: +0.2 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Hampshire an expensive state to live in?
New Hampshire has a cost of living index of 104.2 (US = 100), 4.2% above the US average. It ranks 9th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 114.9 (rank 12), goods 98.6, utilities 133.7 and other services 103.9. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in New Hampshire?
At New Hampshire state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,833 for a single adult, $4,792 for a couple and $5,751 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 106.2 and nonmetro areas 100.5.
What is the median rent and home value in New Hampshire?
The median gross rent in New Hampshire is $1,491 a month and the median home value is $402,500 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 29.4% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 33.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (New England (PADD 1A), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Northeast region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology