Cost of Living in
Concord, NH

The Concord, NH Financial Bleed Report (2026 Edition)

Forget the brochure version of Concord, New Hampshire. You aren't buying a lifestyle fantasy; you are calculating a survival budget. The data suggests a single earner needs approximately $46,035 just to keep their head above water, but that number is a mirage. It represents the mathematical median, not the cost of actual comfort. In Concord, "comfort" is a moving target defined by how much you can save after the state and local governments take their pound of flesh. If you are looking for a place where your paycheck stretches, you need to understand that the 105.3 cost of living index is a floor, not a ceiling. The real numbers reveal a city that is deceptively expensive, where the lack of a sales tax is a parlor trick designed to distract you from the property tax hammer waiting to drop.

The Big Items

Housing: The Equity Trap
The housing market in Concord is currently a high-stakes game of chicken. With a median home price of $430,000, the barrier to entry is significant. If you are looking to buy, you are looking at a mortgage, taxes, and insurance that will likely consume 35% to 45% of a median household income. The trap here is the "rent vs. buy" calculation. Renting is historically difficult to find and expensive due to low inventory; landlords are passing maintenance costs onto tenants aggressively. Buying seems like the smart play to lock in costs, but you are trading a volatile rent payment for a fixed payment that includes a massive property tax bill. The market heat is driven by an influx of remote workers from Boston and southern NH, meaning you aren't competing with locals; you are competing with six-figure earners who view Concord as a bargain. This creates a ceiling on what a "reasonable" price looks like, pushing the median ever higher and forcing the average earner into older, less efficient housing stock or long commutes from the sticks.

Taxes: The Death by a Thousand Cuts
New Hampshire is famous for "no income tax," but do the math—that revenue has to come from somewhere. It comes from your property. The property tax bite in Concord is substantial, often hovering around 2.0% to 2.5% of assessed value. On a $430,000 home, you are looking at roughly $8,600 to $10,750 annually in property taxes alone. If you are renting, that cost is baked into your rent, hidden but very real. While you won't see state income tax withheld from your paycheck, you will get hit with the Interest & Dividends Tax, which is a tax on your investments. Furthermore, the state imposes a Meals and Rooms Tax (8.5%) if you dare to eat out or stay in a hotel, and a 9% tax on alcohol. The "no tax" slogan is a marketing gimmick that nickel-and-dimes you on consumption and assets rather than labor, but the net result is a high cost of government that residents pay one way or another.

Groceries & Gas: The Northern Premium
Don't expect relief on daily staples. Groceries in Concord run roughly 10% to 15% higher than the national average. This is due to logistics; shipping costs into New England are high, and the lack of major distribution hubs in central NH means a markup on everything from milk to meat. A standard grocery run will consistently deliver sticker shock compared to the Midwest or South. Gasoline follows a similar pattern. While the state gas tax is moderate, the regional market dynamics keep prices stubbornly high. You are paying for the distance from refineries. For a commuter living in Concord, this isn't a rounding error—it’s a weekly bleed. A standard commute will easily cost $150+ per month in fuel alone, and that assumes gas prices don't spike during the brutal New England winter.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs

Concord is a master of the hidden fee. If you plan on driving, you need to account for tolls. The E-ZPass system is a convenience tax; while the "New Hampshire Turnpike" is mostly free, the major arteries leading into the state (like the Massachusetts Turnpike) will drain your wallet if you commute south. You will pay $2.00 to $4.00 per crossing regularly. Then there is the insurance reality. While car insurance might be average, homeowner's insurance is climbing. Concord is inland, but climate volatility means premiums are rising, and you may be required to carry flood insurance if you are near the Merrimack River or any tributaries, adding $800 to $1,200 annually to your escrow. If you buy a condo or live in a planned development, HOA fees are the silent killer, often ranging from $250 to $500 monthly, covering snow removal and landscaping that you might otherwise do yourself. And if you park downtown? Forget it. Monthly parking lots can run $75 to $125, a cost that adds up instantly if you work in the legislative or business core.

Lifestyle Inflation

The social cost of living in Concord is where the budget usually breaks. A "night out" is not cheap. A modest dinner for two with drinks at a mid-tier restaurant in Concord proper will easily hit $100 to $130 before tip. If you want a craft beer at a popular brewery, expect to pay $8.00 to $9.50 per pint. The "third place" culture exists, but you pay a premium for it. A standard gym membership at a facility like the Concord YMCA or a private boutique will cost $50 to $85 per month. Even the simple pleasure of a morning coffee has been gentrified; a latte at a local roaster is $5.50+, while a chain alternative sits at $4.50. These aren't luxuries; they are the baseline costs of maintaining a social life and basic sanity. If you have a family, the cost of after-school activities, youth sports leagues, and summer camps will nickel and dime you for thousands over the course of a year, with registration fees often requiring non-refundable deposits that lock you in before you realize the total cost.

Salary Scenarios

The following table outlines the income required to sustain specific lifestyles in Concord for 2026. Note that "Single Income" implies a household of 1-2 adults, while "Family Income" assumes 2 adults and 2 children.

Frugal Analysis:
To survive on $55,000 as a single person, you are living a thin existence. This assumes you have zero debt, you rent a small apartment (likely a 1BR or a shared 2BR), and you cook 90% of your meals at home. You are likely driving an older, paid-off vehicle to avoid comprehensive insurance costs and car payments. There is no room for error here; a single medical deductible or major car repair would wipe out your savings. For a family on $85,000, this is a poverty lifestyle. You are relying heavily on public schools, shopping exclusively at discount grocery stores, and likely utilizing state-subsidized childcare or having a stay-at-home parent because daycare costs would consume 30% of this income.

Moderate Analysis:
The $75,000 single earner can breathe a little. This budget allows for a decent 2BR rental or a modest mortgage on a home priced around $300,000 (if you can find one). You can afford a reliable car payment, decent insurance, and a modest retirement contribution (perhaps 6% to a 401k). You can go out to eat once a week and afford a gym membership, but you are still watching the grocery bill closely. For a family earning $115,000, this is the "keeping up" struggle. Childcare costs are a massive anchor, likely costing $1,200 to $1,800 per month per child. You are saving for college but not aggressively. You own a home, but the $800+ monthly property tax bill is a constant source of stress.

Comfortable Analysis:
At $105,000 for a single earner, you have achieved financial stability in Concord. You can afford to buy a home near the median price point without being house-poor. You can max out a Roth IRA, have a healthy emergency fund, and drive a newer vehicle. You can absorb the rising costs of utilities and groceries without changing your habits. For a family at $160,000, this is the tier where life feels "normal." You can afford a vacation, save for college, and handle the $2,000+ monthly cost of childcare (if needed) without panic. You are likely in a newer home with modern insulation, mitigating the high electric rates (23.4 cents/kWh). This income level finally unlocks the "New Hampshire advantage"—the ability to enjoy the outdoors and local amenities without constantly checking your bank account.