A good salary in New Hampshire goes further than you might expect thanks to zero state income tax and zero sales tax.
Quick Answer
| Situation | Good Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, NH average | $58,000-$75,000 | $48,000-$58,000 |
| Single in Manchester | $58,000-$72,000 | $48,000-$58,000 |
| Single in Nashua | $60,000-$78,000 | $50,000-$60,000 |
| Family of 4 | $95,000-$120,000 | $78,000-$95,000 |
Key advantage: New Hampshire has no income tax and no sales tax — a rare combination.
Why New Hampshire Is Tax-Friendly
New Hampshire benefits from:
- No state income tax (except on interest/dividends, phasing out)
- No sales tax — save 5-10% on all purchases
- Access to Boston job market without Boston taxes
- High quality of life and excellent schools
Note: Property taxes (2.09%) are among the highest in the nation.
Good Salary by New Hampshire City
Manchester
Manchester is NH’s largest city with a growing tech sector.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $42,000 | $72,000 |
| Comfortable | $55,000 | $90,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $72,000+ | $115,000+ |
Median home price: ~$420,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,500/month
Nashua
Nashua is near the Massachusetts border with easy Boston access.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $45,000 | $78,000 |
| Comfortable | $58,000 | $95,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $78,000+ | $125,000+ |
Median home price: ~$480,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,650/month
Concord
Concord, the state capital, offers moderately priced living.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $40,000 | $68,000 |
| Comfortable | $52,000 | $85,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $68,000+ | $110,000+ |
Median home price: ~$380,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,350/month
Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s seacoast location commands premium prices.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $50,000 | $85,000 |
| Comfortable | $65,000 | $105,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $85,000+ | $140,000+ |
Median home price: ~$620,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,850/month
How Much House Can You Afford in New Hampshire?
| Annual Salary | Max Home Price (28% rule) |
|---|---|
| $58,000 | $215,000-$235,000 |
| $75,000 | $280,000-$310,000 |
| $95,000 | $360,000-$395,000 |
| $120,000 | $460,000-$500,000 |
Note: High property taxes affect mortgage affordability in NH.
New Hampshire vs. Other States
| State | $70K Salary Take-Home | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $60,500 | 108 |
| Massachusetts | $54,600 | 125 |
| Maine | $55,800 | 102 |
| Vermont | $55,200 | 106 |
NH’s no income/sales tax maximizes take-home pay.
New Hampshire Taxes
- Income Tax: None (interest/dividend tax phasing out by 2027)
- Sales Tax: None
- Property Tax: 2.09% (among highest in US)
The “NH advantage” is living in NH while working in MA — you pay MA income tax but avoid it on NH-sourced income.
Top Industries in New Hampshire
- Technology (growing sector) — Average salary $90,000+
- Healthcare — Average salary $65,000+
- Defense (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard) — Average salary $75,000+
- Financial Services — Average salary $70,000+
- Insurance — Average salary $65,000+
- Manufacturing — Average salary $55,000+
New Hampshire Lifestyle
Pros:
- No income or sales tax
- Excellent schools
- Access to Boston without Boston costs
- Four seasons recreation
- Low crime rates
Cons:
- Very high property taxes
- Cold winters
- Housing costs rising fast
- Limited diversity