City Comparison
Keene vs Hooksett
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hooksett scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Keene
Hooksett
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Keene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Hooksett.
Housing costs are a major driver: Keene's average rent is
31% lower than Hooksett's.
| Metric | Keene | Hooksett | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $2,250 | -31% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $200 | $180 | +11% |
| Transport | $50 | $130 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $95 | $240 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,295 | $3,220 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hooksett offers 18% 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 Keene is estimated at
$65,000 vs $62,000 in Hooksett.
| Metric | Keene | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,960 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,067 idx | 72,222 idx |
| Household Income | $78,445 | $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 | Keene | 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 | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Keene has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hooksett.
Hooksett scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Keene leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Keene | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Keene is the larger city
— approximately 3.9x the population of Hooksett.
From a growth perspective, Hooksett is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Keene has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Keene | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,036 | 5,876 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.07% | 1.68% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 42.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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