Cost of Living in New Hampshire: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in New Hampshire? doxo breaks down key insights about New Hampshire’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in New Hampshire pays $2,482 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on New Hampshire’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
New Hampshire ranks as the 10th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, New Hampshire is ranked as the 10th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $29,783 per year, New Hampshire’s household expenses, on average, are 17% higher than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. New Hampshire households spend 32% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for New Hampshire is 108.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,482 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 117
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #10
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 32%
- Compared to the National Average: 17% higher
New Hampshire Household Expenses are 17% Higher than the National Average
The average New Hampshire household pays $2,482 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in New Hampshire is $62, compared to the national average of $85, making it 27% lower than average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for New Hampshire residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $2,052, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 46% more expensive.
Average New Hampshire Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average New Hampshire Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | New Hampshire Percent +/- National Average |
| Mortgage | $2,052 | $1,402 | 46% higher |
| Rent | $1,365 | $1,300 | 5% higher |
| Auto Loan | $481 | $496 | 3% lower |
| Utilities | $396 | $362 | 9% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $226 | $209 | 8% higher |
| Health Insurance | $127 | $114 | 11% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $145 | $121 | 20% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $153 | $122 | 25% higher |
| Life Insurance | $87 | $87 | The same |
| Alarm & Security | $62 | $85 | 27% lower |
| Total | $2,482 | $2,126 | 17% higher |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Bedford has the Highest Cost of Living in New Hampshire for Household Bills
Residents of Bedford pay the highest household bills in the state of New Hampshire, at an average of $3,462 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Bedford is 163, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 63% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Bedford makeup 27% of the average annual household income of $151,850.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive New Hampshire Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Bedford | $151,850 | $3,462 | 163 | 63% higher | 27% |
| 2 | Windham | $171,563 | $3,163 | 149 | 49% higher | 22% |
| 3 | Milford | $84,912 | $3,098 | 146 | 46% higher | 44% |
| 4 | Pelham | $121,875 | $3,044 | 143 | 43% higher | 30% |
| 5 | Londonderry | $129,571 | $2,847 | 134 | 34% higher | 26% |
| 6 | Merrimack | $120,730 | $2,846 | 134 | 34% higher | 28% |
| 7 | Goffstown | $109,452 | $2,845 | 134 | 34% higher | 31% |
| 8 | Hudson | $125,216 | $2,825 | 133 | 33% higher | 27% |
| 9 | Salem | $101,856 | $2,808 | 132 | 32% higher | 33% |
| 10 | Portsmouth | $100,839 | $2,802 | 132 | 32% higher | 33% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Manchester has the Lowest Cost of Living in New Hampshire for Household Bills
Out of 27 cities, Rochester is the most affordable place in New Hampshire, with residents paying $2,022 on average for household bills, accounting for 33% of annual income of $74,449. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Rochester is 95, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 5% below the national average.
Claremont is the second most affordable city in New Hampshire, with residents paying $2,037 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in New Hampshire are Keene ($2,039), Meredith ($2,077) and Gilford ($2,149).
10 Most Affordable New Hampshire Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 18 | Manchester | $73,442 | $2,588 | 122 | 22% higher | 42% |
| 19 | Hooksett | $100,711 | $2,573 | 121 | 21% higher | 31% |
| 20 | Lebanon | $95,938 | $2,461 | 116 | 16% higher | 31% |
| 21 | Moultonborough | $89,728 | $2,188 | 103 | 3% higher | 29% |
| 22 | Laconia | $68,024 | $2,166 | 102 | 2% higher | 38% |
| 23 | Gilford | $112,522 | $2,149 | 101 | 1% higher | 23% |
| 24 | Meredith | $65,490 | $2,077 | 98 | 2% lower | 38% |
| 25 | Keene | $69,848 | $2,039 | 96 | 4% lower | 35% |
| 26 | Claremont | $53,957 | $2,037 | 96 | 4% lower | 45% |
| 27 | Rochester | $74,449 | $2,022 | 95 | 5% lower | 33% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in New Hampshire with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.