New Hampshire Living Report — October 02, 2026

New Hampshire has long held a quiet appeal for those seeking a balance between rural charm and economic stability, and the numbers back it up. With a population of roughly 1.38 million spread across a landscape of mountains, lakes, and historic mill towns, the state offers a lifestyle that is neither as frantic as the Boston metro nor as isolated as northern Maine. But what does relocation actually look like on a practical level? The data paints a picture of a market that is increasingly competitive yet still attainable—especially for those with a solid income or remote work arrangement.

Housing is the first hurdle most newcomers face. The median home value in New Hampshire sits at $337,100, which is significantly lower than neighboring Massachusetts but higher than much of the rest of New England. For renters, a one-bedroom apartment costs a median of $1,336 per month. That figure becomes more telling when measured against the state’s median household income of $90,845 per year. Doing the math, a median one-bedroom rent consumes just under 18 percent of a median household’s gross monthly income—well below the 30 percent threshold typically considered affordable. That suggests that, on average, housing costs here are manageable, though inventory remains tight, particularly in the southern tier near the Massachusetts border where commuting patterns drive demand. Finklick, a relocation data platform, tracks 119 cities and towns in New Hampshire, a reminder that the state’s housing landscape is far from monolithic: prices in Manchester or Nashua differ sharply from those in the North Country.

The job market provides a strong foundation for that housing affordability. New Hampshire’s unemployment rate stood at just 2.8 percent as of August 2026, reflecting a labor market that has been tight for years. Major employers span healthcare, manufacturing, and technology—Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center,

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 October 02, 2026.

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

Shop Moving Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.