Cost of Living in Merrimack County, New Hampshire
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Merrimack County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Merrimack County ranks #2,907 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 7%)
Sourced county brief
Merrimack County Median Gross Rent Reaches 1,360 Dollars
In Merrimack County, the median gross rent is $1,360, which is $42 above the New Hampshire unweighted county mean of $1,318. The official rent to income percentage is 28.4%, according to the American Community Survey (ACS) B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI). This figure is 0.7 percentage points below the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 29.1%. For owner-occupied units, the median home value is $367,600, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $349,500. Median selected monthly owner costs are $1,799, which is $223 higher than the state unweighted county mean of $1,576. Median renter-household income was estimated at $54,371. These figures are based on data from the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Merrimack County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.4% of renter household income in Merrimack County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,360 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,799. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $54,400 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The New Hampshire unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,318 per month. Merrimack County's $1,360 median is 3.2% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Merrimack County
Rent Burden
16.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,263
per month
Owner Cost Burden
22.3%
of gross income
The median home in Merrimack County may be a stretch
Median home value is $367,600. Estimated monthly cost: $2,935 vs. your max of $2,263.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Merrimack County, New Hampshire?
What is the median rent in Merrimack County?
Is Merrimack County affordable?
How does Merrimack County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Merrimack County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Merrimack County, New Hampshire? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Merrimack County
Whether you're buying in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.