F
24%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
41%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Dover New Hampshire National
Cost of living124118100
Goods & Services120120100
Groceries102102100
Health care113113100
Housing141123100
Transportation110110100
Utilities131131100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dover, NH

Knowing the cost of living in Dover allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Dover stands at 124, marking it 24% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Dover may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Dover falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

When it comes to the cost of living in Dover, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 41.3% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In Dover, you can expect to pay 20.2% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Dover?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 11 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Dover. The results indicated that 45% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 55% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Dover Affordable?

Is Dover affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Dover, the median home price is 48.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 24.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Dover boasting a median household income of $74,833, 35.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dover?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Dover, the healthcare costs are 13.2% higher than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Dover, the housing index comes in at 41.3% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Dover, the transportation index is 9.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Dover displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Dover is 5% higher than the New Hampshire average
  • The cost of living in Dover is 24% higher than the national average
  • Dover housing is 41% higher than the national average
  • New Hampshire general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • New Hampshire state income tax is 54% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Dover

See all the best places to live around Dover

Compare Dover, NH Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$98,282$8,190$2,293$2,949
      Renters$53,310$4,443$1,244$1,599
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Dover, NH, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Dover have a median income of $98,282. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,293 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $53,310, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,244.

      New Hampshire Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Hampshire 0% 0%

      New Hampshire Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Hampshire 4% 4%

      Goods & Services

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.58$24.269.6%
      Beauty Salon $67.97$45.5649.2%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.8%
      Shampoo $1.25$1.282.1%
      Movie $13.07$12.137.7%
      Bowling $25.44$18.0041.4%

      Groceries

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.47$5.846.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.6%
      Potatoes $5.01$4.931.5%
      Pizza $11.66$12.093.6%
      Beer $9.82$10.415.7%

      Health Care

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $115.00$125.688.5%
      Doctor $164.00$135.7820.8%
      Dentist $136.17$113.2920.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.01$10.653.4%
      Lipitor $483.35$468.603.1%

      Housing

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Home Price $274,100.00$184,700.0048.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,281.44$2,346.692.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,184.00$949.0024.8%

      Transportation

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.33$3.463.9%
      Tire Balancing $86.00$59.9243.5%

      Utilities

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $294.40$193.9951.8%
      Phone $186.72$192.252.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Farmington, NH4,14011211.6%
      Rochester, NH31,30511312.9%
      Berwick, ME1,98511414.2%
      North Berwick, ME1,7161099.3%
      Somersworth, NH12,02711716.5%
      Dover, NH31,92212423.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Los Gatos, CA31,943307207.2%
      Wheat Ridge, CO31,88912929.4%
      Kaysville, UT31,95712221.5%
      Spring Valley, CA31,86615049.5%
      Des Moines, WA31,98313535.5%
      Dover, NH31,92212423.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.