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

New Hampshire

Low tax burden · COL index 114

Wins 13 categories

California

Moderate tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 2 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.

New Hampshire

California

Taxes

None

Income Tax (top rate)

13.3%

1.86%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.71%/yr

None

Sales Tax (avg)

8.82%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

None

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

114

COL Index (100=avg)

142

$440K

Median Home Price

$790K

$1,750/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$2,300/mo

$950/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

167

Violent Crime / 100K

499

1,150

Property Crime / 100K

2,027

189

Sex Offenders / 100K

155

159

Homeless / 100K

475

Healthcare

#6 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#13 of 50

79.7 yrs

Life Expectancy

79.2 yrs

6.3%

Uninsured Rate

6.8%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#5 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#20 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$1,450/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$2,200/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$190/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$175/mo

$600/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$620/mo

#21 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#49 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+2.0

2024 Presidential Margin

D+20.0

Category wins

New Hampshire

California

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