New Hampshire
NHNortheast · 4 cities tracked · Updated 2026
New Hampshire is more expensive than the national average. Across the 4 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 113 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $2,024 a month, 5% above the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$4.07
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$2,024
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
113
vs. 100 national avg
New Hampshire Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in New Hampshire is electricity, at 50% above the national average. The biggest break is car insurance, at 36% below it.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 3.3% over the past year across the 4 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Lebanon saw the biggest move (up 3.7%), while Concord was up just 2.8%.
City to city
Where you live inside New Hampshire matters. Typical rent runs from $1,880 in Keene to $2,165 in Manchester, a gap of $285 a month or about $3,420 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 36% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 5th lowest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $107,182 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $4.07 a gallon, 2% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $249 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,380 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the Northeast rose 1.6% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in New Hampshire
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 10 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1Rockingham County | $113,927 |
| 2Hillsborough County | $100,436 |
| 3Merrimack County | $93,944 |
| 4Belknap County | $87,983 |
| 5Strafford County | $86,564 |
| 6Grafton County | $84,021 |
| 7Carroll County | $82,961 |
| 8Cheshire County | $81,001 |
| 9Sullivan County | $75,929 |
| 10Coos County | $58,439 |
New Hampshire Cost of Living FAQ
Is New Hampshire expensive to live in?
New Hampshire is about 13% more expensive than the national average. Across the 4 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 113, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in New Hampshire?
Typical rent in New Hampshire averages $2,024 a month across the 4 cities we track as of September 2026, 5% above the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 9th highest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in New Hampshire?
Of the 4 cities we track in New Hampshire, Concord has the lowest cost of living index at 108. The lowest typical rent is in Keene, at $1,880 a month.
What is the most expensive city in New Hampshire?
Lebanon has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in New Hampshire, at 115. The highest typical rent is in Manchester, at $2,165 a month.
How much is gas in New Hampshire?
Regular unleaded averages $4.07 a gallon in New Hampshire as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 2% above the national average of $3.98. That is near the middle of 51 states.
Is rent going up in New Hampshire?
Rent in New Hampshire rose an average of 3.3% over the past year across the 4 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in New Hampshire?
Residential electricity in New Hampshire averages 27.6 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $249.
How much is car insurance in New Hampshire?
Full coverage car insurance in New Hampshire averages $1,380 a year, or about $115 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 4th lowest of 51 states.