Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from New Hampshire to California

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income or sales tax, white mountains, libertarian streak. vs. Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

NH state flag
Living now

New Hampshire

Capital: Concord

Median household income $90,845 · winter low 14°F · 197 sunny days

No income or sales tax, white mountains, libertarian streak.

CA state flag
Moving to

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

California has an overall price level 110.7 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
New Hampshire
104.2
California
110.7
California has 6.3% higher overall price level
Housing index
New Hampshire
114.9
California
154.3
California has 34% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Hampshire
101.0
California
102.7
California has 1.6% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Hampshire
100.6
California
101.6
California has 1.0% higher utilities
Electricity rate
New Hampshire
26.9 ¢/kWh
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
California has 24% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Hampshire
100.8
California
102.1
California has 1.3% higher transportation
Median home value
New Hampshire
$458,800
California
$759,500
California is 66% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Hampshire
$1,250/mo
California
$1,835/mo
California is 47% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 84°F · Winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
New Hampshire
81°F
California
84°F
California is 3.7% more summer highs
Avg winter low
New Hampshire
14°F
California
45°F
California is 221% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Hampshire
44°F
California
59°F
California is 33% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Hampshire
197
California
258
California has 31% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Hampshire
47 in
California
26 in
California is 45% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Hampshire
42
California
68
California has 62% higher AQI
Snow / year
New Hampshire
78 in
California
16 in
California is 79% less annual snowfall

Get the full New HampshireCalifornia report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in California than New Hampshire?

California's overall price level is roughly 113 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.4 for New Hampshire — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

New Hampshire tops out at 0% income tax. California tops out at 13.3%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in California?

Most California residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

Related comparisons