Massachusetts vs New Hampshire: cost of living
New Hampshire is the cheaper state of the two, with an overall price level of 107.6 versus 109.4 for Massachusetts (BEA Regional Price Parity, US = 100) — so Massachusetts is about 1.7% more expensive. Massachusetts's median household income is $99,858 versus $96,838 in New Hampshire, and median rent is $1,848 versus $1,558 a month. To keep a $100,000 standard of living moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire you'd need about $98,355.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP), all items. Data as of June 2026.
Massachusetts vs New Hampshire side by side
| Indicator | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US=100) | 109.4 | 107.6 |
| Price vs US average | +9.4% | +7.6% |
| Median household income (ACS 2023) | $99,858 | $96,838 |
| Median gross rent / month | $1,848 | $1,558 |
| Census region | Northeast | Northeast |
Sources: BEA RPP 2022; Census ACS income and rent 2023.
Salary needed to move
Using the price-level ratio (the salary-needed formula on our methodology page), here is the equivalent pay needed to hold the same standard of living when you move between Massachusetts and New Hampshire:
| If you earn this here… | …you'd need this there |
|---|---|
| $60,000 in Massachusetts | $59,013 in New Hampshire |
| $100,000 in Massachusetts | $98,355 in New Hampshire |
| $60,000 in New Hampshire | $61,004 in Massachusetts |
| $100,000 in New Hampshire | $101,673 in Massachusetts |
Verdict
On price level alone, New Hampshire stretches a paycheck further than Massachusetts by roughly 1.7%. But cost of living is only half the picture: Massachusetts has the higher median household income ($99,858), and neither figure accounts for state income tax, which can swing the real-world gap. Read each state's full page for context — Massachusetts and New Hampshire — and run your exact salary through the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Massachusetts or New Hampshire cheaper to live in?
New Hampshire is the cheaper of the two: its overall price level is 107.6 versus 109.4 for Massachusetts on the BEA Regional Price Parity scale (US = 100), making Massachusetts about 1.7% more expensive. This is an estimate of overall prices; verify with the BEA.
What salary in New Hampshire matches $100,000 in Massachusetts?
About $98,355. Because New Hampshire's price level (107.6) is lower than Massachusetts's (109.4), $100,000 of Massachusetts buying power equals roughly $98,355 in New Hampshire. The reverse: $100,000 in New Hampshire is worth about $101,673 in Massachusetts. Estimate based on price level only — it ignores taxes and your job market.
Which state has higher incomes, Massachusetts or New Hampshire?
Massachusetts has the higher median household income: $99,858 versus $96,838 (US Census Bureau ACS 2023).
More comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-18