Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $1,150 in New Hampshire. Overall, Idaho runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than New Hampshire, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $77,415 in New Hampshire — about 5% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
None
+6.0 pp in Idaho
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
None
+5.3 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$1,150
+2% in New Hampshire
Median Home Value
$456,000
$336,300
+26% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$77,415
+5% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
49.2°F
+3.3°F in Idaho
Idaho vs New Hampshire — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or New Hampshire?
- Idaho is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,133 runs about 1% below New Hampshire's $1,150, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho than in New Hampshire?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $46,000 in New Hampshire.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or New Hampshire?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Idaho/New Hampshire — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.