Retire in New Hampshire: Cost, Taxes & FIRE Number for 2026
Retiring in New Hampshire costs about $63,000 a year on average, earning an A retirement tax grade and a #3 healthcare ranking. Here's the full breakdown — cost, taxes, and how much you actually need saved.
What It Costs to Retire in New Hampshire
The average retiree in New Hampshire spends about $63,000 a year ($5,250/month), based on BLS spending data for households 65 and older, adjusted for New Hampshire's cost of living. That works out to a standard retirement number of $1,575,000 under the 4% rule, or $1.8M for early retirees using the more conservative 3.5% FIRE withdrawal rate.
How the numbers below are calculated:
Annual cost = BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 (65+ household spending) × New Hampshire's cost-of-living index (MERIC Q3 2025).
Standard Retirement Number = Annual Cost ÷ 0.04 (4% rule, ~30-year horizon)
FIRE Number = Annual Cost ÷ 0.035 (3.5% rule, 40–50+ year horizon for early retirees)
New Hampshire earns an A retirement tax grade from Plootus Research and ranks #3 of 50 states for healthcare quality. Combined with an average annual salary of $71,260 for working residents (median $58,420), that gives a fuller picture of what building — and eventually spending down — a nest egg looks like here.
New Hampshire Retirement at a Glance
| Average annual retirement cost | $63,000/yr ($5,250/mo) |
| Standard Retirement Number (4% rule) | $1,575,000 |
| FIRE Number (3.5% SWR) | $1.8M |
| Retirement Tax Grade | A |
| State Income Tax | None* |
| Social Security Tax | ✅ No tax |
| Healthcare Quality Rank | #3 of 50 |
| FIRE-Friendliness Rating | ★★★☆☆ |
| Avg. Annual Salary (working residents) | $71,260 |
| Median Annual Salary (working residents) | $58,420 |
Sources: BLS CES 2024 (65+); MERIC Q3 2025; BLS OEWS May 2024; Plootus Research 2026.
Your New Hampshire-Adjusted Retirement Number
Pre-filled with New Hampshire's average retirement spending — adjust for your own situation.
🧮 Calculate Your Retirement Number
How New Hampshire Compares to Nearby States
| State | Annual Cost | Retirement Number | Tax Grade | HC Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $63,000 | $1,575,000 | A | #3 |
| Rhode Island | $64,000 | $1,600,000 | D | #17 |
| Vermont | $60,000 | $1,500,000 | D | #5 |
| Maine | $59,000 | $1,475,000 | C | #15 |
How New Hampshire Treats Retirees on Taxes and Healthcare
New Hampshire carries an A retirement tax grade from Plootus Research — one of the most tax-friendly states in the country for retirees.
State Income Tax
New Hampshire has no broad state income tax on wages, pensions, or retirement account withdrawals. The state previously taxed interest and dividend income, but that tax was fully eliminated as of 2025.
Social Security Tax
New Hampshire does not tax Social Security benefits, one of the factors behind its A tax grade. Confirm current rules with a tax professional as exemptions can vary.
New Hampshire ranks #3 nationally for healthcare quality — one of the strongest states in the country for retirees who prioritize access to quality care.
Frequently Asked Questions: Retiring in New Hampshire
New Hampshire earns an A retirement tax grade and ranks #3 of 50 for healthcare quality. Average annual retirement spending runs about $63,000, requiring roughly $1,575,000 in savings under the standard 4% withdrawal rule. Whether it's a good fit depends on your priorities — New Hampshire has no broad state income tax, and it does not tax Social Security.
New Hampshire does not tax Social Security benefits, one of the factors behind its A tax grade. Confirm current thresholds and exemptions with a tax professional, since rules change year to year.
Using the standard 4% rule, retiring in New Hampshire on its average annual cost of $63,000 requires approximately $1,575,000 in savings. That figure excludes Social Security, which most retirees layer on top to reduce the amount they need from their own portfolio.
At a 3.5% safe withdrawal rate — the more conservative rate recommended for early retirees facing a 40–50+ year horizon — New Hampshire's FIRE number is approximately $1.8M, based on its $63,000/year average cost. Early retirees should also budget separately for healthcare before Medicare eligibility at 65.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 (65+ age group)
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Cost of Living Index Q3 2025
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024
- Kiplinger, Retirement Taxes 2026; WalletHub Best States to Retire 2026
- Plootus Research 2026 (tax grades, healthcare rank, FIRE ratings)
More ways to cut costs and grow your wealth!
Plootus collaborates with select platforms to help you compare, save, and manage your money more efficiently.
Disclaimer: Plootus (an SEC-registered investment advisor) may receive compensation for referrals to third-party products and services, listed on our Partners page. These referrals are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Plootus has not conducted due diligence on, nor assumes responsibility for, any third-party offerings. Users are encouraged to evaluate these options independently before making any decisions.
