City Comparison
Exeter vs Keene
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Exeter scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Exeter
Keene
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Keene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Exeter's average rent is
26% higher than Keene's.
| Metric | Exeter | Keene | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,550 | +26% |
| Groceries | $480 | $400 | +20% |
| Utilities | $210 | $200 | +5% |
| Transport | $130 | $50 | +160% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $95 | +153% |
| Monthly Total | $3,010 | $2,295 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Exeter offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Keene delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Exeter is estimated at
$68,000 vs $65,000 in Keene.
| Metric | Exeter | Keene |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $63,960 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 71,067 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $78,445 |
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 | Exeter | Keene |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Keene has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 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 | Keene |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Keene is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Exeter.
From a growth perspective, Exeter is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Keene has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Exeter | Keene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,285 | 23,036 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.07% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 2.60% |
| 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.
Keene
Advantages
Strong community feel and access to nature, including proximity to Mount Monadnock.
Lower cost of living compared to the national average and major New England cities.
Low violent crime rates, contributing to a high sense of safety and security.
Well-preserved historic downtown with a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Access to higher education institutions like Keene State College and Antioch University New England.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is moderate to high, with limited public transportation options.
Job market growth may be moderate compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall.
Median household income is below the national average.
Some residents note challenges with property crime and addiction issues.
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
Keene
#279New Hampshire, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$63,960
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.07%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
75
Business
65
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