New Hampshire vs Rhode Island Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$67,873
in New Hampshire
$67,751
in Rhode Island
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 115.6 | 115.1 | 0% |
| Groceries | 99.4 | 101.4 | -2% |
| Utilities | 115.9 | 131.6 | -12% |
| Transportation | 104.0 | 99.7 | +4% |
| Healthcare | 107.9 | 100.8 | +7% |
| Dining & Misc | 111.6 | 110.0 | +1% |
| Overall | 110.5 | 110.7 | 0% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in New Hampshire.
What things actually cost
| Item | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $465,000 | $440,000 | +$25,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,618/mo | $1,611/mo | +$7 |
| Gas price | $3.42/gal | $3.40/gal | +$0.02 |
| Electric bill | $183/mo | $214/mo | $31 |
| Infant childcare | $17,364/yr | $16,758/yr | +$606 |
Salary equivalent: New Hampshire → Rhode Island
What a New Hampshire salary buys you in Rhode Island, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in New Hampshire | Equivalent in Rhode Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,090 | $-90 |
| $75,000 | $75,136 | $-136 |
| $100,000 | $100,181 | $-181 |
| $150,000 | $150,271 | $-271 |
| $200,000 | $200,362 | $-362 |
Positive = your money goes further in Rhode Island. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
New Hampshire and Rhode Island have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 110.5 and 110.7 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in New Hampshire or Rhode Island?
New Hampshire and Rhode Island have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is New Hampshire cheaper than Rhode Island?
New Hampshire and Rhode Island cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Rhode Island more expensive than New Hampshire?
New Hampshire and Rhode Island have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Rhode Island equals $100,000 in New Hampshire?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in New Hampshire, you would need approximately $100,181 in Rhode Island. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (110.5 vs 110.7).
How do housing costs compare between New Hampshire and Rhode Island?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Rhode Island. Median home prices are $465,000 in New Hampshire vs $440,000 in Rhode Island — a $25,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,618/mo vs $1,611/mo.
What costs more in New Hampshire vs Rhode Island?
Utilities is 12% lower in New Hampshire (index 115.9 vs 131.6). Healthcare is 7% higher in New Hampshire (index 107.9 vs 100.8). Transportation is 4% higher in New Hampshire (index 104 vs 99.7).
Is gas cheaper in New Hampshire or Rhode Island?
Gas averages $3.42/gallon in New Hampshire and $3.40/gallon in Rhode Island — a $0.02 difference per gallon.
New Hampshire vs Rhode Island cost of living — how do they compare?
New Hampshire has an overall cost-of-living index of 110.5 and Rhode Island has 110.7 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between New Hampshire and Rhode Island?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. New Hampshire has no tax on earned wages — your entire salary is free from state income tax. The state previously taxed interest and dividends at 5% but fully phased that out in January 2025. NH is one of only 9 states with no income tax on wages, making it popular with workers commuting from Massachusetts. Rhode Island has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 5.99% on income above $166,950. Use the New Hampshire vs Rhode Island paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in New Hampshire and Rhode Island?
New Hampshire has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. Rhode Island requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- New Hampshire Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Rhode Island Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- New Hampshire vs Rhode Island Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- New Hampshire Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in New Hampshire
- Rhode Island Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Rhode Island
- Salary After Tax by State — Take-home rankings across all 50 states
- House Affordability in New Hampshire — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Rhode Island — How much house can you afford?
- New Hampshire Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Rhode Island Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- New Hampshire Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Rhode Island Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.