Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,150 in New Hampshire versus $1,275 in Vermont. Overall, New Hampshire runs roughly 10% cheaper on rent than Vermont, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $77,415 in New Hampshire and $68,854 in Vermont — about 11% higher in New Hampshire. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6%
+6.0 pp in Vermont
Income Tax (top rate)
None
8.75%
+8.8 pp in Vermont
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,150
$1,275
+11% in Vermont
Median Home Value
$336,300
$400,200
+19% in Vermont
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$77,415
$68,854
+11% in New Hampshire
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.2°F
46.0°F
+3.2°F in New Hampshire
New Hampshire vs Vermont — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in New Hampshire or Vermont?
- New Hampshire is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,150 runs about 10% below Vermont's $1,275, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in New Hampshire than in Vermont?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in New Hampshire versus $51,000 in Vermont.
- Which has lower taxes, New Hampshire or Vermont?
- New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in New Hampshire/Vermont — 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.