Cost of living in New Hampshire
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in New Hampshire are 4.2% above the national average, the 9th most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Housing is the main reason prices in New Hampshire differ from the national level: housing costs (rents) are 14.9% above the US average, while goods are 1.4% below average and other services 3.9% above average.
- Utilities stand out in New Hampshire: household electricity, gas, water and sewer prices are 33.7% above the US average.
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $64,632 in 2017 dollars, 9th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- Within New Hampshire, metro price levels run from 105.7 in Manchester, NH to 108.3 in Boston, MA (US = 100).
- Relative to the US, the price level in New Hampshire has barely moved: 106.1 in 2008, 104.0 in 2019 and 104.2 in 2024.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In New Hampshire, utilities is the category furthest from the US average: 33.7% above
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| All items | 104.2 |
| Goods | 98.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 114.9 |
| Utilities | 133.7 |
| Other services | 103.9 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.25 a gallon in the New England region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.04 less than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for New Hampshire, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in New Hampshire
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 2 metro areas BEA measures in New Hampshire is Manchester, NH (105.7); the most expensive is Boston, MA (108.3). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Manchester, NH is the cheapest metro area in New Hampshire (105.7); Boston, MA the most expensive (108.3)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Manchester, NH | 105.7 |
| Boston, MA | 108.3 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester, NH | 105.7 | 134.2 | 97.7 | 133.5 | 103.7 | $2,165 |
| Boston, MA | 108.3 | 148.4 | 99.7 | 148.8 | 103.6 | $2,987 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
New Hampshire has become less expensive relative to the US since 2008: 106.1 then, 104.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.1 |
| 2009 | 105.2 |
| 2010 | 104.0 |
| 2011 | 103.5 |
| 2012 | 102.9 |
| 2013 | 102.8 |
| 2014 | 102.1 |
| 2015 | 104.0 |
| 2016 | 105.1 |
| 2017 | 105.8 |
| 2018 | 103.5 |
| 2019 | 104.0 |
| 2020 | 105.3 |
| 2021 | 102.6 |
| 2022 | 107.8 |
| 2023 | 105.4 |
| 2024 | 104.2 |
Goods: 98.7 in 2008, 98.6 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 |
| 2009 | 98.3 |
| 2010 | 98.3 |
| 2011 | 99.7 |
| 2012 | 99.7 |
| 2013 | 99.3 |
| 2014 | 101.5 |
| 2015 | 101.1 |
| 2016 | 101.6 |
| 2017 | 101.8 |
| 2018 | 101.2 |
| 2019 | 100.7 |
| 2020 | 101.8 |
| 2021 | 102.1 |
| 2022 | 104.6 |
| 2023 | 100.0 |
| 2024 | 98.6 |
Housing (rents): 118.5 in 2008, 114.9 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 118.5 |
| 2009 | 122.7 |
| 2010 | 123.2 |
| 2011 | 119.5 |
| 2012 | 121.4 |
| 2013 | 123.6 |
| 2014 | 115.3 |
| 2015 | 119.7 |
| 2016 | 112.6 |
| 2017 | 119.6 |
| 2018 | 108.6 |
| 2019 | 110.7 |
| 2020 | 115.8 |
| 2021 | 107.0 |
| 2022 | 121.5 |
| 2023 | 114.5 |
| 2024 | 114.9 |
Utilities: 134.3 in 2008, 133.7 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 134.3 |
| 2009 | 138.4 |
| 2010 | 126.8 |
| 2011 | 131.7 |
| 2012 | 130.5 |
| 2013 | 123.9 |
| 2014 | 126.6 |
| 2015 | 131.0 |
| 2016 | 137.1 |
| 2017 | 143.8 |
| 2018 | 142.8 |
| 2019 | 145.0 |
| 2020 | 144.0 |
| 2021 | 140.9 |
| 2022 | 149.2 |
| 2023 | 156.2 |
| 2024 | 133.7 |
Other services: 106.8 in 2008, 103.9 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.8 |
| 2009 | 103.8 |
| 2010 | 101.9 |
| 2011 | 100.7 |
| 2012 | 99.3 |
| 2013 | 99.0 |
| 2014 | 98.3 |
| 2015 | 100.8 |
| 2016 | 104.3 |
| 2017 | 103.5 |
| 2018 | 102.5 |
| 2019 | 103.1 |
| 2020 | 103.4 |
| 2021 | 100.6 |
| 2022 | 105.1 |
| 2023 | 105.1 |
| 2024 | 103.9 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in New Hampshire is $64,632, 9th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- New Hampshire
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| New Hampshire | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $48,352 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $48,316 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $49,967 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $51,195 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $52,195 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $51,281 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $52,500 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $53,623 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $54,017 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $54,844 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $57,215 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $59,512 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $61,489 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $66,325 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $60,234 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $62,459 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $64,632 | $59,195 |
Compare New Hampshire with other states
States with similar prices
- New York 107.9
- Connecticut 103.6
- Rhode Island 102.3
- Massachusetts 105.8
- Maryland 105.0
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.