Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Updated for 2026.
Pennsylvania wins 3 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $280K and lower overall costs, Pennsylvania offers meaningful savings compared to New Hampshire. 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.
The monthly payment difference is $1,341/month — that’s $16,092/year or $483K over the life of a 30-year loan. Buying in Pennsylvania is the more affordable option based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Based on the 28% debt-to-income rule — your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income.
To afford the median home in New Hampshire, you need a household income of approximately $149K/year. In Pennsylvania, you need $91K/year — less by $57K/year. That $57K income gap means Pennsylvania is accessible to a significantly wider range of households.
Pennsylvania offers meaningfully lower home prices than New Hampshire, with median prices running 35% less ($150K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of New Hampshire may find Pennsylvania far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Pennsylvania has a moderate property tax advantage at 1.36% versus New Hampshire's 2.09%. While the rate gap of 0.73% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $5,179 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $41K in savings.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. New Hampshire's NHHFA Home Flex Plus provides Up to $20,000 DPA, while Pennsylvania's PHFA Keystone Advantage offers Up to $6,000 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: Pennsylvania homes cost $150K less than New Hampshire on average. That translates to roughly $1,341 less per month in total housing costs if you choose Pennsylvania. For most buyers, this price gap is the single biggest factor — it affects your loan size, monthly payment, and how quickly you build equity.