Smart people find deals. You’re here to find a deal on a place to live in New Hampshire. You’re smart.
And because you’re smart, you only trust unbiased data on home prices and the cost of living. So, we used Saturday Night Science to look at the New Hampshire Census for home prices, incomes, and cost of living data for the 26 cities with more than 5,000 residents in the Beehive State.
We determined that affordable places in New Hampshire include retirement communities in Suncook, cities like Manchester, and family-oriented places like Portsmouth.
These places free up money for a Saturday tee time at Mystic Meadows in Laconia or a family staycation at Wallis Sands State Beach in Rye.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | FAQs | Summary
The 10 most affordable places to live in New Hampshire
What’s the most affordable place to live in New Hampshire for 2024? The cheapest place in New Hampshire is Berlin.
These cities provide more than just budget-friendly prices – they also offer charm, safety, and apple cider donuts that any budget-friendly shopper can appreciate.
Check out some more reading about New Hampshire and the cheapest places in the country:
The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In New Hampshire For 2024
/10
Population: 9,485
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 97
Median Income: $41,638
Median Home Price: $169,746
Median Rent: $769
You don’t need to book a flight to Germany to get a sweet deal in Berlin. It might help to know some French though, because, as a city near Quebec, around 65% of Berlin’s population speaks a variant of New England French. Berlin’s the type of place you’ll want to settle down in for the long haul, because it’s where you’ll find the cheapest homes and, more importantly, the best home price to income ratio in the state. Add to that the fact that Berlin is one of the best places for families in New Hampshire, and you’ve got a recipe for a successful long-term stay. On the downside, Berlin is the least economical place to rent on this list. But we promise that once you see the stunning views from Jericho Mountain, your financial anxieties will be far from your mind.
More on Berlin: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
This town is absolutely gorgeous. Great scenery, biking trails, hiking trails, lakes, and many other sightings. Although there are many people unemployed and doing drugs in town and many drug bust happening all the time. The PD absolutely s***s and works on the most useless things that they can and take forever to get where they need to be. The school system is horrible and has barely any funding to the point where 6-8th grade needs so come into our high school and teachers need to move from classroom to classroom by week with a rolling cart as there aren’t enough rooms. Berlin has alot of potential but there’s not enough job opportunities and too many people using welfare and foodstamps.
A few of my favorite places are the four wheeling trails, the lakes, our “outdated” restaurants that add some class and a vintage feel that I love. It has it flaws but it’s really not as bad as it’s cracked up to be.
/10
Population: 5,228
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 106
Median Income: $67,500
Median Home Price: $279,094
Median Rent: $1,164
We’ll kick off our tour of the most affordable places to live in New Hampshire with Newport, a small town an hour outside of Concord. Homes in Newport go for a median price of $279,094, the third cheapest in the state. Even more importantly, Newport residents spend the third smallest percentage of their on homes statewide. Newport is also in the top ten for income to rent ratio, with a median rent of $1,164. As for keeping yourself occupied on a budget, Mt. Sunapee State Park is just a short drive away and has all the hiking, boating, fishing, and alpine skiing you could want.
More on Newport: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 13,018
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 107
Median Income: $53,697
Median Home Price: $232,691
Median Rent: $1,071
Claremont’s story is very similar to that of Berlin; super affordable homes, with less impressive prices on rent. Claremont’s median home price of $232,691 is the second lowest in New Hampshire and residents spend the fourth smallest proportion of their income on homes statewide. Plus there are tons of parks around for every type of activity — skateboarding, snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice-skating. You name it, Claremont’s got a park for it.
More on Claremont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
If a person is looking to move to a state for a growing family, NH is probably not for them. Only those of us with professional occupations can even get a decent job here, and then nowhere near the pay youd get elsewhere. Hubby and I moved to Colebrook when we each got out of the Air Force we only stayed there a year, as that place didnt even have a national store chain of any kind. We then moved to Claremont, where we raised our kids for the next 10 years. I am a nurse, hubby was a lab tech at the time, so finding jobs was very easy. We love that our children grew up with great schools, clean neighborhoods, and nice people. I feel I should mention that were a multiracial family, but never got nasty looks, etc. for it.
/10
Population: 8,746
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 107
Median Income: $66,942
Median Home Price: $319,833
Median Rent: $1,037
Franklin ranks as the fourth least expensive place to call home in the Granite State thanks to strong affordability numbers across the board. Franklin’s got some of the cheapest homes for sale you’ll find in New Hampshire, with a median price tag of $319,833. If you’re not ready to settle down here just yet, renting in Franklin costs about $1,037/month. Renting or buying, Franklin has excellent housing to income ratios. Not to mention that it’s one of the best cities for singles in New Hampshire thanks to great date spots like Tarbin Gardens. Looking for love has never been so affordable!
Franklin is about a half hour north of Concord.
More on Franklin: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 16,898
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 111
Median Income: $67,856
Median Home Price: $387,698
Median Rent: $1,163
Next up on our list of super inexpensive spots in New Hampshire is Laconia. Don’t let the city’s affordability fool you into thinking Laconia’s boring though; whether you’re just kicking it at Weirs Beach or zipping from tree to tree at Monkey Trunks Park, there’s something for every speed here. Laconia has the fifth cheapest homes in New Hampshire, with a median price of $387,698. Folks buying a home in Laconia enjoy the 19th best home price to income ratio, while those renting get the 13th best deal in New Hampshire.
More on Laconia: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 32,573
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 112
Median Income: $74,882
Median Home Price: $352,607
Median Rent: $1,162
We’re going to take a very short drive west from Somersworth to arrive at our sixth most affordable city in New Hampshire, Rochester. If you decide to move to Rochester, you’ll have no trouble getting friends to visit thanks to all the concerts and shows put on at the Rochester Opera House. Homes in Rochester go for about $352,607, the sixth lowest price in New Hampshire. Additionally, Rochester’s residents pay the eighth smallest portion of their income on homes statewide. That’s all the good news; the bad news is that Rochester was also named the most dangerous city and overall worst place to live in New Hampshire.
More on Rochester: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 22,907
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 113
Median Income: $69,381
Median Home Price: $303,115
Median Rent: $1,153
Keene, located in New Hampshire, is a great place to live for those looking to save money. With a median home value of $303,115 and a median rent of $1,153, Keene is one of the most affordable places to live in New Hampshire. In fact, the home price to income ratio is only 5.0th in the state, making it much easier for residents to afford housing compared to other areas.
Keene has a population of 22,907 and offers a high quality of life with plenty of amenities. With an overall cost of living rating of 113, residents can enjoy a comfortable, low-cost lifestyle.
More on Keene: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Plenty of schools for education, parks, bike paths. Events live music in summer
Panhandlers, no public restroom. Broken sidewalks and curbs. Potholes galore.
/10
Population: 11,994
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 113
Median Income: $75,841
Median Home Price: $380,908
Median Rent: $1,330
Coming in as the eighth cheapest place to live in New Hampshire is Somersworth, a small city a half hour north of Portsmouth. We gave Somersworth an 8/10 on our overall SnackAbility score, with an emphasis on solid schools, a strong market for jobs and housing, and being one of the most diverse cities in New Hampshire. Oh, and affordability of course. Somersworth has the ninth least expensive homes statewide, with a median price tag of $380,908. The median income in Somersworth is $75,841, giving the city the 12th best home price to income ratio in New Hampshire. Not to mention that if you go fishing at Willand Pond, you can cut down on your food and entertainment budget at the same time.
More on Somersworth: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
I have been a resident of Somersworth, NH for nearly three years now. I *chose* to live here, for 1,000 reasons that do not fit these narrow-minded metrics. However, I will not take issue with that. What I will dissect is the text written here about my chosen home.
According to the chatter weve read on forums, this ranking is valid. People complain about drug dealing, s*x clubs and other nefarious behavior. Fact is, Somersworth is the second most dangerous city you can live in New Hampshire.”||||-“Chatter we’ve read on forums.” Is this the scientific research that you speak of- Nice.
“Theres a lot of Section 8 housing here, and apparently, you have to stay away from certain areas of downtown.There was a murder in town in 2013, and you have a 1 in 25 chance of being the victim of a robbery, most likely a car or home break in. Yikes.”
I love the scientific correlation between Section 8 and rampant crime. Gosh, those Section 8 tenants should just be dropped off into the ocean and the world would be a better place. Oh shoot – that’s in Portsmouth. G*d forbid someone who was down on their luck wander a toe over into the precious mecca of everything awesome and beautiful. ||||”The fact remains there are far better options if you want to commute into Portsmouth.”
Speak of the devil! Well, you know life would have many far better options if the entire populous of Somersworth received a 500% pay grade increase. Perhaps instead of fleeing the treacherous wastelands described here, those shiny new tax dollars could go into making Somersworth shiny and beautiful.”
/10
Population: 115,037
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 114
Median Income: $74,040
Median Home Price: $383,709
Median Rent: $1,362
One the biggest cities in New Hampshire, Manchester ranks as the ninth cheapest city in the state with a cost of living of 114 index. The city’s average home price is $383,709 and a reasonable $1,362 average rent.
Located in southern New Hampshire, Manchester offers low-cost fun in the form of the Currier Museum of Art and Livingston Park. If you’re up for a short drive, you can hike at Clough State Park.
More on Manchester: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The only bad I can say about New Hampshire is the winters can be brutal and the drug issues in the southern part of the state I will say that everyone I know who can work, does. No taxes unless you own a home or buy hot food, great restaurants, people are friendly but not so much so that it’s annoying, and if you love hot winters but still love skiing, this is the state for you. It’s a well balanced state and I can’t imagine living in any other state.
Any place but Manchester is a beautiful and quaint place to live. Unfortunately there us a drug crisis going on in Manchester that has yet to be solved.
10. Suncook
/10
Population: 5,235
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 114
Median Income: $72,375
Median Home Price: $371,259
Median Rent: $1,047
Located between Manchester and Concord, Suncook ranks as the tenth least expensive place in New Hampshire. Suncook owes its high position on this list to its incredibly affordable rent. You can get rent a spot in Suncook for just $1,047/month, less than half the average rent in New Hampshire. And with a median income of $72,375, Suncook enjoys the third best rent to income ratio in the state. If you’re looking to reward yourself for your smart financial planning, head on down to Oddball Brewing Co. for a Suncook Lager.
More on Suncook: Real Estate
Cheapest places to live in New Hampshire FAQs
The county in New Hampshire with the lowest cost of living is Hillsborough County. The average living wage in Hillsborough County is $100,802 according to MIT data. Hillsborough County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to New Hampshire as a whole. Childcare costs $20,260 a year in Hillsborough County for two children compared to the New Hampshire average of $19,454. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $16,423 per year in Hillsborough County compared to $15,387 on average in New Hampshire.
The cost of living in New Hampshire is 10.0% higher than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in New Hampshire is $98,702 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a New Hampshire household is $77,923.
The cheapest housing market in New Hampshire is Berlin. The average home value in Berlin is $85,100, the lowest in the state. The average home value in New Hampshire is $272,300, almost 3.2 times higher than Berlin.
Methodology: How we determined the most affordable places to live in the Granite State for 2024
Determining affordability for places in New Hampshire boils down to how much it costs to live here.
You need to understand your costs relative to what people in the rest of the state are paying.
With that logic in mind, we derived several cost of living statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2018-2022 for New Hampshire using Saturday Night Science. We indexed the cost of living statistics across the following categories:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Services
- Groceries
- Healthcare
- Utilities
These are then weighted together to produce an overall cost of living index where 100 is the United States average. Anything below 100 is relatively affordable. Anything over 100 is relatively expensive.
We applied the biggest weight to housing as it typically accounts for 25% or more of your budget. Additionally, housing costs are the highest variant cost across a state. We then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in New Hampshire to figure out which is the least expensive.
The “Cost of Living Index” allows you to rank all of the 26 places in New Hampshire that have more than 5,000 people from least expensive to most expensive. Any ties went to the larger city.
The place in New Hampshire with the lowest cost of living according to the data is Berlin.
We updated this article for 2024. This report reflects our tenth time ranking the cheapest places to live in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Affordabilility Summary
This is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in New Hampshire for 2024, if you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in New Hampshire.
The cheapest cities in New Hampshire are Berlin, Newport, Claremont, Franklin, Laconia, Rochester, Keene, Somersworth, Manchester, and Suncook.
Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in New Hampshire according to the data:
- Hanover
- Hampton
- Portsmouth
For more New Hampshire reading, check out:
- Best Places To Buy A House In New Hampshire
- Worst Places To Live In New Hampshire
- Richest Cities In New Hampshire
Cheapest Places To Live In New Hampshire
| Rank | City | Population | Cost Of Living Index | Median Income | Home Prices | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berlin | 9,485 | 97 | $41,638 | $169,746 | $769 |
| 2 | Newport | 5,228 | 106 | $67,500 | $279,094 | $1,164 |
| 3 | Claremont | 13,018 | 107 | $53,697 | $232,691 | $1,071 |
| 4 | Franklin | 8,746 | 107 | $66,942 | $319,833 | $1,037 |
| 5 | Laconia | 16,898 | 111 | $67,856 | $387,698 | $1,163 |
| 6 | Rochester | 32,573 | 112 | $74,882 | $352,607 | $1,162 |
| 7 | Keene | 22,907 | 113 | $69,381 | $303,115 | $1,153 |
| 8 | Somersworth | 11,994 | 113 | $75,841 | $380,908 | $1,330 |
| 9 | Manchester | 115,037 | 114 | $74,040 | $383,709 | $1,362 |
| 10 | Suncook | 5,235 | 114 | $72,375 | $371,259 | $1,047 |
| 11 | Concord | 44,049 | 117 | $77,874 | $379,611 | $1,277 |
| 12 | Newmarket | 5,829 | 117 | $88,295 | $475,693 | $1,632 |
| 13 | Milford | 8,530 | 118 | $71,065 | $439,699 | $1,292 |
| 14 | Hooksett | 5,268 | 118 | $83,456 | $459,819 | $1,668 |
| 15 | Derry | 23,027 | 119 | $83,750 | $439,869 | $1,382 |
| 16 | Hudson | 7,003 | 119 | $80,901 | $470,939 | $1,329 |
| 17 | Dover | 32,849 | 120 | $90,844 | $466,477 | $1,436 |
| 18 | Exeter | 9,918 | 120 | $79,813 | $530,210 | $1,441 |
| 19 | South Hooksett | 5,808 | 120 | $113,024 | $459,287 | $1,038 |
| 20 | Lebanon | 14,515 | 121 | $90,911 | $398,820 | $1,603 |
| 21 | Nashua | 90,943 | 122 | $88,766 | $437,854 | $1,597 |
| 22 | Londonderry | 12,143 | 128 | $113,557 | $527,708 | $1,801 |
| 23 | Durham | 10,789 | 128 | $93,542 | $616,892 | $1,216 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 22,138 | 133 | $100,169 | $672,711 | $1,660 |
| 25 | Hampton | 10,050 | 134 | $92,907 | $560,109 | $1,594 |
| 26 | Hanover | 8,234 | 151 | $111,958 | $908,412 | $2,021 |
