City Comparison
Concord vs Derry
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derry scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Concord
Derry
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Concord is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Derry.
Housing costs are a major driver: Concord's average rent is
30% lower than Derry's.
| Metric | Concord | Derry | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $2,366 | -30% |
| Groceries | $420 | $339 | +24% |
| Utilities | $195 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $200 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,635 | $2,905 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Derry offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Concord delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Concord is estimated at
$54,000 vs $62,000 in Derry.
| Metric | Concord | Derry |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,385 idx | 64,286 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $108,944 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Concord runs warmer on average — a 47.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Concord comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Concord sees 39.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Concord | Derry |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Concord has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Derry.
Concord scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Concord leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Concord | Derry |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Concord is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Derry.
From a growth perspective, Concord is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Concord | Derry |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,976 | 34,389 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Concord
Advantages
Strategic location at the intersection of I-93 and I-89 offers easy access to Boston, the White Mountains, and the coast.
No broad-based state income tax or general sales tax under New Hampshire state law.
Vibrant, walkable downtown featuring independent shops, local dining, and the Capitol Center for the Arts.
Strong employment stability driven by state government administration and Concord Hospital.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including local parks, trail systems, and proximity to the Merrimack River.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on property taxes to fund municipal services can result in high property tax burdens.
Cold, snowy New England winters require higher seasonal heating and property maintenance costs.
Competitive housing market with limited inventory driving up purchase prices and rental rates.
Limited public mass transit options within the city, necessitating a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Pollen and seasonal allergy seasons can be severe for sensitive individuals during spring and summer.
Derry
Advantages
Low crime rate, with overall crime 49% below the national average and violent crime 57% lower [14].
Strategic location offering convenient access to Boston and Manchester, with major highways nearby [28, 44].
No state income tax, contributing to potential savings for residents [30].
Rich historical heritage, including being the birthplace of astronaut Alan Shepard and home to poet Robert Frost [4, 31, 32, 38].
Access to natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks and trails [30].
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options [7, 28].
Cost of living is 12% higher than the national average, driven by housing costs [16].
Housing prices are above the national average, with a median sold price of $450,000 as of August 2026 [17].
Experiences harsh winters with significant snowfall [30].
Recent employment data shows a slight decline, though the unemployment rate remains low [3].
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Concord
#203New Hampshire, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
47.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
77
Business
71
Derry
#144New Hampshire, USA
65.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,366
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
28.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
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