City Comparison
Exeter vs Claremont
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Exeter scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Exeter
Claremont
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Claremont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Exeter's average rent is
56% higher than Claremont's.
| Metric | Exeter | Claremont | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,250 | +56% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,010 | $2,250 | +34% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Exeter offers 44% higher 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 Exeter is estimated at
$68,000 vs $48,000 in Claremont.
| Metric | Exeter | Claremont |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 58,696 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $58,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Claremont sees 6.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Exeter | Claremont |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | 46.90°F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | 12.10°F |
| Rainfall | 40.60 in | 40.00 in |
| Snowfall | 37.20 in | 43.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 247 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
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 | Exeter | Claremont |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Exeter is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Claremont.
From a growth perspective, Exeter is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Exeter has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Exeter | Claremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,285 | 12,949 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Claremont
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the New Hampshire state average per US Census data.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Sugar River and Moody Park.
Rich historic character featuring preserved 19th-century mill architecture.
Proximity to the Upper Valley employment and educational hubs.
Tight-knit community feel with active local civic engagement.
Drawbacks
Higher winter heating and utility costs during harsh New Hampshire winters.
Limited public transportation options necessitate car ownership.
Job growth locally is slower compared to southern regions of the state.
Poverty rates in the city are slightly higher than the state average per Census data.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Claremont
#340New Hampshire, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Exeter and Claremont.
Open Cost Calculator