Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,150 in New Hampshire versus $1,332 in Washington. Overall, New Hampshire runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $77,415 in New Hampshire and $83,857 in Washington — about 8% higher in Washington. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6.5%
+6.5 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,150
$1,332
+16% in Washington
Median Home Value
$336,300
$454,600
+35% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$77,415
$83,857
+8% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.2°F
52.1°F
+2.9°F in Washington
New Hampshire vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in New Hampshire or Washington?
- New Hampshire is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,150 runs about 14% below Washington's $1,332, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in New Hampshire than in Washington?
- 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 $53,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, New Hampshire or Washington?
- New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in New Hampshire/Washington — 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.