New Hampshire
110.1
composite · rank #38
- Housing
- 116.5
- Grocery
- 100
- Utilities
- 116.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026New Hampshire vs Rhode Island Cost of Living
New Hampshire has the lower cost of living by 1.1 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
New Hampshire is lower
1.1 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Rhode Island is roughly $99,011 in New Hampshire.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Rhode Island
111.2
composite · rank #39
- Housing
- 114.4
- Grocery
- 103.8
- Utilities
- 122.3
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 100 | 103.8 | New Hampshire |
| Housing | 116.5 | 114.4 | Rhode Island |
| Utilities | 116.4 | 122.3 | New Hampshire |
| Transportation | 106 | 103.1 | Rhode Island |
| Health care | 106.5 | 104.1 | Rhode Island |
| Misc. goods & services | 108.8 | 111.9 | New Hampshire |
Grocery
New Hampshire100
Rhode Island103.8
Lower cost: New Hampshire
Housing
New Hampshire116.5
Rhode Island114.4
Lower cost: Rhode Island
Utilities
New Hampshire116.4
Rhode Island122.3
Lower cost: New Hampshire
Transportation
New Hampshire106
Rhode Island103.1
Lower cost: Rhode Island
Health care
New Hampshire106.5
Rhode Island104.1
Lower cost: Rhode Island
Misc. goods & services
New Hampshire108.8
Rhode Island111.9
Lower cost: New Hampshire
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Rhode Island | Needed in New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,500 | $49,505 |
| $75,000 | $75,749 | $74,258 |
| $100,000 | $100,999 | $99,011 |
| $150,000 | $151,499 | $148,516 |
| $250,000 | $252,498 | $247,527 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$50,500
In New Hampshire$49,505
$75,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$75,749
In New Hampshire$74,258
$100,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$100,999
In New Hampshire$99,011
$150,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$151,499
In New Hampshire$148,516
Housing gap
New Hampshire housing is 116.5; Rhode Island is 114.4.
Salary planning
$100,000 in New Hampshire is roughly $100,999 in Rhode Island.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
New Hampshire vs Rhode Island cost of living FAQs
New Hampshire has the lower cost of living by 1.1 index points. The composite indexes are 110.1 in New Hampshire and 111.2 in Rhode Island (US average = 100).
About $100,999 in Rhode Island would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New Hampshire, based on the composite indexes.
About $99,011 in New Hampshire would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Rhode Island.
Housing indexes are 116.5 in New Hampshire and 114.4 in Rhode Island. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
New Hampshire has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.