New Hampshire Cost of Living & Rents (2026)
Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, and composite living cost indices across all 5 benchmark metropolitan areas in New Hampshire.
Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology
Metropolitan Areas in New Hampshire
| Metro Area | COL Index | HUD 1BR Rent | HUD 2BR Rent | Living Wage | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Rockingham County, NH | 127.1 | $1,794/mo | $2,347/mo | $28.11/hr | View |
| Portsmouth-Rochester, NH | 123.5 | $1,600/mo | $2,093/mo | $27.32/hr | View |
| Nashua, NH | 120.2 | $1,804/mo | $2,239/mo | $26.59/hr | View |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 114.6 | $1,657/mo | $2,168/mo | $25.34/hr | View |
| Hillsborough County, NH (part) | 108.1 | $1,402/mo | $1,834/mo | $23.91/hr | View |
Comprehensive 2026 cost of living analysis for New Hampshire. Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, state income tax impact, & metropolitan living. Official 2026 economic data for New Hampshire compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
Its metros average a cost-of-living index of 118.7 (U.S. = 100), from EPI family budgets. Average one-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent across its metros is about $1,651 a month.
The average living wage for a single adult in New Hampshire is approximately $26.25/hour, while a family with two adults and one child requires roughly $24.29/hour to cover basic necessities.