Cost of Living: New Hampshire vs Vermont
Vermont is cheaper for a single adult by about $112/month, mainly driven by rent.
Comparison at a glance
- Monthly difference$112/moVermont saves vs New Hampshire
- Housing difference$150/moVermont cheaper on 1BR rent
- Grocery difference$8/moNew Hampshire has a lighter basket
- Equivalent salary≈ $77,500$75,000 in Vermont → New Hampshire
- Cheaper overallVermont~3% lower single-adult budget
- Affordability winnerVermontLower combined rent + essentials
Side-by-side single-adult budget
The big differences between New Hampshire and Vermont come down to rent and tax. Groceries, transport, and utilities are usually within 10–15%; housing can swing the total by hundreds of dollars per month.
Cost of Living Verdict
Six quick takes on where New Hampshire and Vermont actually pull ahead.
- Cheaper overallVermont
Vermont runs about $112/mo lower for a single-adult budget (~3% cheaper).
- Better housing affordabilityVermont
Average 1BR rent is $1,450 vs $1,600.
- Better for familiesTie
Family-of-four budgets land in the same ballpark.
- Better for retireesTie
Healthcare, rent, and tax pressure are comparable for fixed-income retirees.
- Better for remote workersTie
Cost index and income tax are close — neither side gives remote workers a meaningful edge.
- Better purchasing powerNew Hampshire
New Hampshire has a stronger median-income-to-cost ratio — local wages cover more of the typical basket.
What this difference means in practice
The headline gap broken into the four buckets that actually move household budgets.
- Housing impact
Vermont runs about 10% cheaper on housing than New Hampshire — noticeable, but not a deciding factor on its own.
- Daily spending
Groceries costs are essentially the same in both regions — within a few percent.
- Transport & utilities
Transport + utilities costs are essentially the same in both regions — within a few percent.
- Lifestyle
Lifestyle (dining + extras) costs are essentially the same in both regions — within a few percent.
Purchasing power snapshot
Which region stretches a dollar further, category by category.
- Housingmoderate advantageVermont
Vermont is the cheaper place to rent or own.
- GroceriestieTied
Grocery baskets cost about the same.
- UtilitiestieTied
Power, water, and internet land close.
- TransporttieTied
Commuting and fuel costs are similar.
- HealthcaretieTied
Out-of-pocket healthcare is comparable.
- LifestyletieTied
Dining and discretionary spend land in the same range.
Who benefits more?
The same comparison reads very differently depending on the household.
- FamiliesTie
Family budgets are similar in both regions.
- SinglesVermont
Cheaper 1BR rent and entertainment costs tilt to Vermont.
- RetireesTie
Housing, healthcare, and tax pressure look similar.
- Remote workersTie
Cost arbitrage is roughly neutral between the two.
- StudentsVermont
Lower rent and commuting costs make Vermont easier on a tight student budget.
- High earnersNew Hampshire
New Hampshire blends a more efficient tax load with stronger local incomes.
Equivalent lifestyle salary
How much you'd need in New Hampshire to match the lifestyle a given salary buys in Vermont.
needed in New Hampshire for the same lifestyle.
needed in New Hampshire for the same lifestyle.
needed in New Hampshire for the same lifestyle.
Housing affordability
Vermont is noticeably more affordable on rent — about $150/mo cheaper for a 1BR.
Ownership affordability follows the same shape: lower rents typically signal more attainable mortgage payments at similar incomes.
Category-by-category
| Category | New Hampshire | Vermont | Lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1BR rent) | $1,600 | $1,450 | Vermont |
| Groceries | $475 | $483 | Tied |
| Utilities | $220 | $224 | Tied |
| Transportation | $542 | $552 | Tied |
| Healthcare | $362 | $368 | Tied |
| Top income tax | 0.0% | 0.1% | Tied |
| Lifestyle (dining + extras) | $565 | $575 | Tied |
Comparison FAQ
- Is New Hampshire more expensive than Vermont?
- New Hampshire is roughly 3% more expensive than Vermont for a single-adult monthly budget — about $112 more per month.
- How much salary do I need to move from Vermont to New Hampshire?
- If $100,000 supports your lifestyle in Vermont, you'd need roughly $103,000 in New Hampshire to maintain the same purchasing power.
- Which region offers better affordability?
- Vermont comes out lower on the combined single-adult budget — about $112/mo cheaper than New Hampshire.
- Is housing significantly cheaper in one of them?
- Vermont is noticeably more affordable on rent — about $150/mo cheaper for a 1BR.
- Can a remote worker benefit from moving?
- Both regions land close on cost index and tax — relocation arbitrage is modest for remote workers.
- What income is considered comfortable in New Hampshire?
- Roughly $70,000/yr gross typically supports a comfortable single-adult lifestyle in New Hampshire, leaving room for savings on top of monthly costs.
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These estimates are approximate and may vary by city, taxes, rent, family size, and personal spending. Use them as a starting point, not a substitute for personalised financial or tax advice.