City Comparison
Derry vs Exeter
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derry scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derry
Exeter
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Derry is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derry's average rent is
21% higher than Exeter's.
| Metric | Derry | Exeter | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,366 | $1,950 | +21% |
| Groceries | $339 | $480 | -29% |
| Utilities | $0 | $210 | -100% |
| Transport | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $240 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,905 | $3,010 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Exeter offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Exeter delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derry is estimated at
$62,000 vs $68,000 in Exeter.
| Metric | Derry | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $108,944 | $95,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Exeter runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Exeter comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Exeter sees 37.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derry | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 49.10°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.10°F |
| Rainfall | in | 40.60 in |
| Snowfall | in | 37.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Exeter scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Exeter leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Derry | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 28.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Derry is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Exeter.
From a growth perspective, Exeter is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Derry has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derry | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,389 | 16,285 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 44.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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].
Exeter
Advantages
Exceptional local school district anchored by renowned public schools and private institutions like Phillips Exeter Academy.
Extremely low crime rates and high overall community safety profile compared to national averages.
Direct Amtrak Downeaster rail service connecting the town directly to Boston and Portland.
Picturesque, historic downtown featuring vibrant local dining, shopping, and Squamscott River waterfront access.
Proximity to the New Hampshire seacoast and White Mountains, offering world-class outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher-than-average housing costs and competitive real estate market conditions.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles for daily commuting and errands outside the walkable core.
High local property tax burdens typical of many New Hampshire municipalities.
Limited rental housing inventory, making it challenging for younger or lower-income residents to find apartments.
Cold, snowy winter weather requiring high household heating expenditures.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Exeter
#267New Hampshire, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
74
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