City Comparison
Derry vs Hooksett
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hooksett scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derry
Hooksett
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Derry is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Hooksett.
| Metric | Derry | Hooksett | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,366 | $2,250 | +5% |
| Groceries | $339 | $420 | -19% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $240 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,905 | $3,220 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hooksett offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hooksett delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derry is estimated at
$62,000 vs $62,000 in Hooksett.
| Metric | Derry | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 72,222 idx |
| Household Income | $108,944 | $101,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hooksett runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hooksett comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hooksett sees 38.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derry | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.10°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.10°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 14.10°F |
| Rainfall | in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | in | 38.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Derry scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hooksett leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Derry | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 28.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Derry is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Hooksett.
From a growth perspective, Hooksett 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 | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,389 | 5,876 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.68% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 42.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.20% |
| 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].
Hooksett
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at over $101,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic location along Interstate 93 provides effortless commutes to Concord and Manchester.
Low crime rates and dedicated full-time municipal police and fire protection services.
No general state broad-based income or sales tax in New Hampshire, enhancing take-home pay.
High homeownership rate of 72.5% reflecting a stable, invested residential community.
Drawbacks
Average home values exceed $532,000, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Average rental prices around $2,250 per month strain tighter household budgets.
High car dependency with limited public transit options for daily commuters.
Property tax burdens can be significant due to local municipal and school district funding needs.
An aging regional demographic profile can constrain workforce expansion in select local sectors.
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
Hooksett
#98New Hampshire, USA
67.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.68%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
79
Business
74
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