New Hampshire Salaries 2025
No income tax living with Boston job market access
Median Household Income (#6 in USA)
New Hampshire Salary Overview 2025
New Hampshire offers a rare combination: no state income tax, access to the Boston job market, and exceptional quality of life. The state's median household income of $88,500 ranks sixth nationally, driven by educated workforce, tech sector growth, and Boston commuter wealth.
The "Live Free or Die" state has no income tax and no sales tax—one of only two states with neither. This tax advantage attracts high earners who can work in Massachusetts while living in New Hampshire. Remote workers for any company pay 0% state income tax—a significant advantage.
Beyond tax benefits, New Hampshire offers low crime, excellent schools, outdoor recreation (White Mountains, lakes), and New England charm. The tradeoff is higher property taxes (2.09% average) and housing costs. For comprehensive salary data, see salary trends 2025.
New Hampshire Salary Snapshot
| Metric | New Hampshire | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $88,500 | $74,580 |
| Mean Household Income | $111,000 | $97,300 |
| Per Capita Income | $46,000 | $37,638 |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 100 |
| State Income Tax | 0% | Varies |
Salaries by New Hampshire Region
Southern NH (Nashua, Salem)
Median Household Income: $95,000
Functions as Boston's tax-free suburbs. Tech companies (BAE Systems, Oracle) create local employment. Software engineers $100,000-$160,000 with no state tax. Housing $500,000+ median.
Seacoast (Portsmouth)
Median Household Income: $85,000
Charming coastal living with historic downtown. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard provides defense jobs. Housing expensive ($550,000+) but offers genuine coastal New England lifestyle.
Manchester
Median Household Income: $70,000
State's largest city. Healthcare, financial services, and tech. More affordable ($380,000 median home).
| Region | Median Income | Median Home | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern NH | $95,000 | $500,000 | Tech, Boston Commuters |
| Seacoast | $85,000 | $520,000 | Defense, Tourism |
| Manchester | $70,000 | $380,000 | Healthcare, Finance, Tech |
| Concord | $72,000 | $350,000 | Government, Healthcare |
Tax Advantage Analysis
| Salary | NH Tax | MA Tax (5%) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $0 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| $150,000 | $0 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| $200,000 | $0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Property Tax: 2.09% average—among nation's highest. On $500K home = $10,450/year. High earners with modest homes benefit most from tax arbitrage.
Highest Paying Jobs in New Hampshire 2025
| Occupation | Average Salary | Top 10% Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians/Surgeons | $290,000 | $450,000+ |
| IT Directors | $160,000 | $210,000+ |
| Software Architects | $155,000 | $200,000+ |
| Engineering Managers | $155,000 | $200,000+ |
| Cybersecurity Directors | $165,000 | $220,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tax savings worth higher property taxes?
For high earners, usually yes. $200K income saves $10K+ in income tax. Even with $10K property tax on $500K home, you break even—and the home is an asset.
Can I work remotely and pay no state tax?
Yes. NH residents working 100% remotely pay 0% state income tax regardless of employer location.