New Hampshire Living Report — July 12, 2026

⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

New Hampshire has long held a reputation as a quiet, scenic corner of New England, but the data tells a more nuanced story of a state that is both prosperous and aging. With a population of just over 1.37 million and a median age of 43.1, the Granite State skews older than the national average, yet it continues to draw a diverse mix of new residents: families seeking good schools, remote workers chasing mountain views, and retirees looking for a slower pace without sacrificing access to urban amenities.

The cost of living here is a major draw, though it comes with caveats. The median home value sits at $337,100, a figure that is high by national standards but significantly lower than nearby Massachusetts. Renters face a median one-bedroom monthly cost of $1,336. To put that in perspective, the median household income in New Hampshire is $90,845 per year, or roughly $7,570 per month. That means a median one-bedroom apartment consumes about 17.6 percent of pre-tax household income—well below the 30 percent threshold often considered affordable. For dual-income households or individuals earning above the median, housing is surprisingly manageable. However, the state’s poverty rate is a low 7.1 percent, suggesting that those who struggle financially are a relatively small slice of the population.

The job market is arguably the strongest piece of the puzzle. As of May 2026, the unemployment rate stands at just 2.6 percent, a figure that reflects sustained demand for labor across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. The state’s economy benefits from its proximity to Boston, as well as a

Explore New Hampshire Cities

Browse utility costs, housing data, Census demographics, and climate data for all 119 tracked cities in New Hampshire.

View all New Hampshire city guides →

Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated July 12, 2026.

Amazon

Get your home essentials, storage, and moving supplies delivered.

Shop Moving Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.