California vs New Hampshire: taxes, cost of living, laws

California

Moderate tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 2 categories

New Hampshire

Low tax burden · COL index 114

Wins 13 categories

New Hampshire has no state income tax. California's top rate is 13.3%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 25% higher than New Hampshire (index 114). Property taxes are meaningfully different: New Hampshire averages 1.86% annually vs California's 0.71%. The median home in California costs $790K vs $440K in New Hampshire.

California

New Hampshire

Taxes

13.3%

Income Tax (top rate)

None

0.71%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.86%/yr

8.82%

Sales Tax (avg)

None

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

None

Housing & Cost of Living

142

COL Index (100=avg)

114

$790K

Median Home Price

$440K

$2,300/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,750/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$950/yr

Crime & Safety

499

Violent Crime / 100K

167

2,027

Property Crime / 100K

1,150

155

Sex Offenders / 100K

189

475

Homeless / 100K

159

Healthcare

#13 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#6 of 50

79.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

79.7 yrs

6.8%

Uninsured Rate

6.3%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#20 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#5 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$2,200/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,450/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$175/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$190/mo

$620/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$600/mo

#49 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#21 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+20.0

2024 Presidential Margin

D+2.0

Category wins

California

New Hampshire

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