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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in New Hampshire, 2026

South Hooksett is the most affordable ranked town in New Hampshire. The score uses rent, the regional price level, state and local taxes, and electricity. A lower score is more affordable.

Press-ready summary

26
Towns ranked in New Hampshire.
South Hooksett
Number 1 in New Hampshire. Rent is 13.6% of income. National rank 3076.
20.8%
Median rent share among ranked towns in New Hampshire.
0
Ranked New Hampshire towns in the national top 100.
East Merrimack
Least affordable ranked town in New Hampshire. Rent is 26.8% of income. National rank 5539.

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Free to quote and reuse if you credit Cost & Benefits and link to this page. Please do not say a government agency made the ranking.

Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index: New Hampshire." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/new-hampshire

https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/new-hampshire

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Benefits and taxes in New Hampshire

Top 25

  1. #1 in New Hampshire · National #3076

    South Hooksett

    Rent share 13.6% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.456

    Median rent is $1,471 a month and median income is $130,000, so rent is 13.6% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  2. #2 in New Hampshire · National #3573

    Durham

    Rent share 13.9% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.492

    Median rent is $1,302 a month and median income is $112,070, so rent is 13.9% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  3. #3 in New Hampshire · National #3679

    Suncook

    Rent share 16.4% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.501

    Median rent is $1,091 a month and median income is $79,836, so rent is 16.4% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  4. #4 in New Hampshire · National #4043

    Hanover

    Rent share 17.6% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.529

    Median rent is $2,254 a month and median income is $153,281, so rent is 17.6% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  5. #5 in New Hampshire · National #4149

    Franklin

    Rent share 18.6% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.536

    Median rent is $1,110 a month and median income is $71,648, so rent is 18.6% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  6. #6 in New Hampshire · National #4545

    Keene

    Rent share 20.5% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.568

    Median rent is $1,342 a month and median income is $78,445, so rent is 20.5% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  7. #7 in New Hampshire · National #4617

    Laconia

    Rent share 20.1% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.575

    Median rent is $1,224 a month and median income is $73,218, so rent is 20.1% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  8. #8 in New Hampshire · National #4638

    Concord

    Rent share 20.4% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.576

    Median rent is $1,441 a month and median income is $84,902, so rent is 20.4% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  9. #9 in New Hampshire · National #4686

    Londonderry

    Rent share 19.6% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.581

    Median rent is $1,952 a month and median income is $119,571, so rent is 19.6% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  10. #10 in New Hampshire · National #4732

    Berlin

    Rent share 21.6% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.584

    Median rent is $815 a month and median income is $45,180, so rent is 21.6% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  11. #11 in New Hampshire · National #4805

    Rochester

    Rent share 20.3% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.589

    Median rent is $1,369 a month and median income is $80,836, so rent is 20.3% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  12. #12 in New Hampshire · National #4831

    Hooksett

    Rent share 21.5% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.591

    Median rent is $1,811 a month and median income is $101,053, so rent is 21.5% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  13. #13 in New Hampshire · National #4859

    Lebanon

    Rent share 21.3% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.593

    Median rent is $1,744 a month and median income is $98,147, so rent is 21.3% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  14. #14 in New Hampshire · National #4901

    Derry

    Rent share 20.3% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.597

    Median rent is $1,549 a month and median income is $91,673, so rent is 20.3% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  15. #15 in New Hampshire · National #4939

    Dover

    Rent share 20.3% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.600

    Median rent is $1,607 a month and median income is $94,829, so rent is 20.3% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  16. #16 in New Hampshire · National #5009

    Hampton

    Rent share 20.4% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.607

    Median rent is $1,654 a month and median income is $97,163, so rent is 20.4% of income, under the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  17. #17 in New Hampshire · National #5021

    Hudson

    Rent share 21.6% · Price level 105.7 · Score 0.608

    Median rent is $1,722 a month and median income is $95,842, so rent is 21.6% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Manchester-Nashua, NH metro price level is 105.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  18. #18 in New Hampshire · National #5078

    Nashua

    Rent share 21.6% · Price level 105.7 · Score 0.613

    Median rent is $1,737 a month and median income is $96,326, so rent is 21.6% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Manchester-Nashua, NH metro price level is 105.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  19. #19 in New Hampshire · National #5155

    Portsmouth

    Rent share 21.1% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.622

    Median rent is $1,869 a month and median income is $106,219, so rent is 21.1% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  20. #20 in New Hampshire · National #5160

    Claremont

    Rent share 23.3% · Price level 104.2 · Score 0.622

    Median rent is $1,146 a month and median income is $59,096, so rent is 23.3% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire state price level is 104.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  21. #21 in New Hampshire · National #5317

    Manchester

    Rent share 23.2% · Price level 105.7 · Score 0.643

    Median rent is $1,564 a month and median income is $81,007, so rent is 23.2% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Manchester-Nashua, NH metro price level is 105.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  22. #22 in New Hampshire · National #5382

    Milford

    Rent share 23.7% · Price level 105.7 · Score 0.652

    Median rent is $1,557 a month and median income is $78,684, so rent is 23.7% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Manchester-Nashua, NH metro price level is 105.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  23. #23 in New Hampshire · National #5396

    Exeter

    Rent share 23.5% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.654

    Median rent is $1,711 a month and median income is $87,346, so rent is 23.5% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  24. #24 in New Hampshire · National #5428

    Newmarket

    Rent share 23.4% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.658

    Median rent is $1,701 a month and median income is $87,196, so rent is 23.4% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  25. #25 in New Hampshire · National #5440

    Somersworth

    Rent share 23.8% · Price level 108.3 · Score 0.660

    Median rent is $1,477 a month and median income is $74,504, so rent is 23.8% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro price level is 108.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

Least affordable 10

  1. #26 in New Hampshire · National #5539

    East Merrimack

    Rent share 26.8% · Price level 105.7 · Score 0.675

    Median rent is $1,952 a month and median income is $87,311, so rent is 26.8% of income, over the 20.8% median for ranked towns in New Hampshire. The Manchester-Nashua, NH metro price level is 105.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 26.60 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Each of the four parts counts the same. That equal weight is our choice so the formula stays easy to read. It is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.

Score = (percentile of rent share + percentile of price level + tax score + percentile of electricity price) / 4. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in New Hampshire in this index?

South Hooksett is number 1 of 26 ranked towns in New Hampshire. Median rent is 13.6% of median income. Its national rank is 3076.

How many towns in New Hampshire were ranked?

26 towns in New Hampshire have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in New Hampshire?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.