City Comparison
Exeter vs Concord
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Concord scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Exeter
Concord
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Concord is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Exeter's average rent is
18% higher than Concord's.
| Metric | Exeter | Concord | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,650 | +18% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $210 | $195 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,010 | $2,635 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Exeter offers 15% 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 $54,000 in Concord.
| Metric | Exeter | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 65,385 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $78,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Concord sees 2.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Exeter | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | 47.90°F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | 80.60°F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | 13.30°F |
| Rainfall | 40.60 in | 40.50 in |
| Snowfall | 37.20 in | 39.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Concord has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Exeter.
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 | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Concord is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Exeter.
From a growth perspective, Exeter is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Concord has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Exeter | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,285 | 43,976 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 40.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 2.80% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Exeter and Concord.
Open Cost Calculator