City Comparison
Hooksett vs Exeter
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hooksett scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hooksett
Exeter
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Exeter is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Hooksett.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hooksett's average rent is
15% higher than Exeter's.
| Metric | Hooksett | Exeter | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,950 | +15% |
| Groceries | $420 | $480 | -13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $210 | -14% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,220 | $3,010 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hooksett offers similar 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 Hooksett is estimated at
$62,000 vs $68,000 in Exeter.
| Metric | Hooksett | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $101,053 | $95,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hooksett sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hooksett | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | 49.10°F |
| Summer High | 80.10°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 14.10°F | 16.10°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 40.60 in |
| Snowfall | 38.30 in | 37.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 254 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 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 | Hooksett | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Exeter is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Hooksett.
From a growth perspective, Hooksett 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 | Hooksett | Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,876 | 16,285 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.68% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 44.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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