Income & Poverty

Compared to other states, New Hampshire has a high median household income and a low official poverty rate. Yet nearly 100,000 Granite Staters live in poverty. In 2022, about one in four Granite State households had less than $50,000 per year in income, and about one in six had less than $35,000. Estimates of living costs in New Hampshire suggest many households are not able to make ends meet, with incomes often too limited to be able to afford the combined costs of housing, child care, transportation, and other necessities.

NHFPI aims to analyze and interpret the trends in income and poverty in the Granite State and provide insights into public policies designed to improve the economic security of New Hampshire’s residents.

What We’re Reading — the July 2026 Edition

On the last Friday of each month, the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute’s research team shares a curated list of books, research papers, podcasts, and more that are helping to shape our understanding of the economic wellbeing of the Granite State and beyond. Here are our picks for July 2026.

On 603 Day, Five Reasons to Feel Optimistic About New Hampshire’s Future

At NHFPI, we spend a lot of time examining New Hampshire’s challenges. But the data tell positive stories, too. In honor of 603 Day, we're highlighting five encouraging trends shaping the Granite State, from slowing housing price increases and declining drug-related deaths to growing freshman enrollment at UNH and improvements to roads, bridges, and child poverty.

What We’re Reading — the May 2026 Edition

Each month, NHFPI’s research team shares a curated list of books, research papers, podcasts, and more that are helping to shape our understanding of the economic wellbeing of the Granite State and beyond. Here are our picks for May 2026.

Recognizing New Hampshire Mothers Through Data

This Mother’s Day, NHFPI is highlighting key data points about the experiences of New Hampshire mothers from child care costs and paid leave to health care access and poverty. The numbers underscore both the critical role mothers play in supporting families and the economy and the challenges many continue to face across the Granite State.