Cost of Living in Alton, NH

Population 5,953 · New Hampshire · Data vintage 2023

93
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a median age of 55, Alton functions largely as a retirement market. Housing costs — $380,000 for a typical home — anchor most household budgets, and the state's treatment of pension income tends to matter more than wage-driven tax comparisons. An unemployment rate of 2.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Alton is about 35 miles north of Manchester, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 13% higher than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 125
Rent 47

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Alton

The median home value in Alton is $379,900 — 25% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $616/month, 53% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $115,599/year is 55% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. New Hampshire charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 57.8°F and lows of 37.6°F. Overall, Alton has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$379,900
25% above avg
Median Rent
$616/mo
53% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
51.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
2.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,019
1 BR
$1,182
2 BR
$1,479
3 BR
$1,864
4 BR
$2,221
Owner-occupied 92.2%
Renter-occupied 7.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$616
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,230/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.8 min
21% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.4%
Carpooled
3.9%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
12.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 0.0%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 2.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$115,599
55% above avg
Per Capita Income
$57,603
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
53% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor Force Participation
54.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.6%
Graduate degree 13.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 55.1
Male median age 55.4
Female median age 55.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.8°F
Avg Low
37.6°F
Annual Precip
41.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333544576777828173604837
Low °F 151725354554605850393122
Precip" 2.532.223.723.673.523.863.523.173.434.393.893.30

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good
84.9%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
218
PM2.5 days
147
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
10.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
892
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Alton, NH?

Alton has a cost index of 93 (100 = national average). It is 7% below the national average.

What is average rent in Alton, NH?

The median gross rent in Alton is $616 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Alton?

The median home value in Alton is $379,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Alton?

The median household income in Alton is $115,599 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Alton, NH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Alton is 0.0%. New Hampshire has no state income tax.

Is Alton, NH affordable?

Alton is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 93 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Alton?

Alton has average high temperatures of 57.8°F and average lows of 37.6°F. Annual precipitation is 41.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Alton at a Glance

Population
5,953
Median Income
$115,599
Home Value
$379,900
Median Rent
$616/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
57.8°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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