C-
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
3%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Keene New Hampshire National
Cost of living112118100
Goods & Services120120100
Groceries102102100
Health care113113100
Housing103123100
Transportation110110100
Utilities131131100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Keene, NH

The cost of living in Keene affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Keene is 112, which is 12% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Keene, these items will cost you 20.2% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Keene?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Keene. The feedback revealed that 43% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 57% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Keene Affordable?

Is Keene affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Keene, for instance, where the median home price falls 0.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 7.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Keene flaunting a median household income of $57,393, 3.7% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Keene?

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Keene, the utilities index stands at 31% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Keene, healthcare costs are 13.2% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Keene, the standard sales tax rate starts at 0%, and the income tax rates commence at 5%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Keene, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Keene is 5% lower than the New Hampshire average
  • The cost of living in Keene is 12% higher than the national average
  • Keene housing is 3% higher than the national average
  • New Hampshire general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • New Hampshire state income tax is 54% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Keene

See all the best places to live around Keene

Compare Keene, NH Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$78,009$6,501$1,820$2,341
      Renters$41,071$3,423$958$1,232
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Keene, NH, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Keene, the median monthly income is $78,009 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,820 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $41,071, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $958 on monthly rental expenses.

      New Hampshire Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Hampshire 0% 0%

      New Hampshire Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Hampshire 4% 4%

      Goods & Services

      Item Keene National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.58$24.269.6%
      Beauty Salon $67.97$45.5649.2%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.8%
      Shampoo $1.25$1.282.1%
      Movie $13.07$12.137.7%
      Bowling $25.44$18.0041.4%

      Groceries

      Item Keene National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.47$5.846.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.6%
      Potatoes $5.01$4.931.5%
      Pizza $11.66$12.093.6%
      Beer $9.82$10.415.7%

      Health Care

      Item Keene National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $115.00$125.688.5%
      Doctor $164.00$135.7820.8%
      Dentist $136.17$113.2920.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.01$10.653.4%
      Lipitor $483.35$468.603.1%

      Housing

      Item Keene National avg. Difference
      Home Price $186,200.00$184,700.000.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,281.44$2,346.692.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,018.00$949.007.3%

      Transportation

      Item Keene National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.33$3.463.9%
      Tire Balancing $86.00$59.9243.5%

      Utilities

      Item Keene National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $294.40$193.9951.8%
      Phone $186.72$192.252.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Troy, NH8571044.1%
      Winchester, NH1,9391065.9%
      Bellows Falls, VT2,9081076.7%
      Hinsdale, NH1,4701098.7%
      Jaffrey, NH2,7501109.8%
      Keene, NH22,82311212.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Wilmot, ON22,827n/a 
      Granite Bay, CA22,81819190.7%
      Eastmont, WA22,82915050.3%
      Radcliff, KY22,796928.0%
      Hastings, MN22,7961033.0%
      Keene, NH22,82311212.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.