Cost of Living in Peterborough, NH

Population 6,456 · New Hampshire · Data vintage 2023

110
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Peterborough is a smaller New Hampshire community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $97,319 and housing costs ($356,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Peterborough is about 25 miles west of Manchester, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Manchester's $336,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 117
Rent 99

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

About the Cost of Living in Peterborough

The median home value in Peterborough is $355,900 — 17% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,301/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,319/year is 30% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, 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 59.8°F and lows of 40.4°F. Overall, Peterborough has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$355,900
17% above avg
Median Rent
$1,301/mo
1% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
2.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,184
1 BR
$1,192
2 BR
$1,564
3 BR
$1,917
4 BR
$2,405
Owner-occupied 56.2%
Renter-occupied 43.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,301
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,915/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
25.5 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.6%
Carpooled
6.3%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
5.7%
Bicycle
5.2%
Work from home
14.7%

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
$97,319
30% above avg
Per Capita Income
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
64% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Labor Force Participation
54.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.5%
Graduate degree 27.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 51.6
Male median age 51.9
Female median age 51.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.8°F
Avg Low
40.4°F
Annual Precip
40.4"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 343746597079848275625039
Low °F 171927384858646254423324
Precip" 2.442.733.453.333.384.043.303.353.723.883.483.29

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
83.6%
Good air days/yr
119
Max AQI recorded
69
PM2.5 days
293
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
10.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
2,150
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Peterborough, NH?

Peterborough has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Peterborough, NH?

The median gross rent in Peterborough is $1,301 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Peterborough?

The median home value in Peterborough is $355,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Peterborough?

The median household income in Peterborough is $97,319 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Peterborough, NH?

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

Is Peterborough, NH affordable?

Peterborough is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Peterborough?

Peterborough has average high temperatures of 59.8°F and average lows of 40.4°F. Annual precipitation is 40.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Peterborough at a Glance

Population
6,456
Median Income
$97,319
Home Value
$355,900
Median Rent
$1,301/mo
Unemployment
1.7%
Avg High Temp
59.8°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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