Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Hawaii and New Hampshire. Updated for 2026.
Hawaii wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, New Hampshire has a lower total cost when combining home price, closing costs, and insurance. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
Buying in New Hampshire saves you approximately $1,853/month ($22,236/year) compared to Hawaii, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
New Hampshire offers meaningfully lower home prices than Hawaii, with median prices running 48% less ($400K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Hawaii may find New Hampshire far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Property taxes are dramatically different: Hawaii charges 0.28% while New Hampshire charges 2.09%, a gap of 1.81 percentage points. On the respective median homes, this means New Hampshire homeowners pay roughly $8,987 per year in property taxes versus $2,324 in Hawaii. Over 30 years of homeownership, this difference alone can add up to six figures. Retirees on fixed incomes should weigh this heavily.
Closing costs are a one-time but significant expense. Hawaii averages $12K in closing costs (1.5% of purchase price) while New Hampshire averages $7K (1.6%). The difference is spread across title insurance, attorney fees, and recording costs rather than a single large tax. Budget for these upfront costs — they affect how much cash you need on hand at closing.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Hawaii's HHFDC Hula Mae Program provides Below-market rate mortgages, while New Hampshire's NHHFA Home Flex Plus offers Up to $20,000 DPA. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: New Hampshire homes cost $400K less than Hawaii on average. That translates to roughly $1,853 less per month in total housing costs if you choose New Hampshire. For most buyers, this price gap is the single biggest factor — it affects your loan size, monthly payment, and how quickly you build equity.