Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between New Hampshire and Tennessee. Updated for 2026.
Tennessee wins 5 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $340K and lower overall costs, Tennessee 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.
Buying in Tennessee saves you approximately $1,053/month ($12,636/year) compared to New Hampshire, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Tennessee offers meaningfully lower home prices than New Hampshire, with median prices running 21% less ($90K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of New Hampshire may find Tennessee far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Property taxes are dramatically different: Tennessee charges 0.56% while New Hampshire charges 2.09%, a gap of 1.53 percentage points. On the respective median homes, this means New Hampshire homeowners pay roughly $8,987 per year in property taxes versus $1,904 in Tennessee. Over 30 years of homeownership, this difference alone can add up to six figures. Retirees on fixed incomes should weigh this heavily.
Insurance costs favor New Hampshire at $1,400/year versus $2,400/year in Tennessee, a difference of $1,000 annually. While not the largest cost factor, this adds up to over $10K over a decade of homeownership. Shop multiple carriers in either state — actual premiums depend on your specific property, coverage level, and claims history.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. New Hampshire's NHHFA Home Flex Plus provides Up to $20,000 DPA, while Tennessee's THDA Great Choice Home Loan offers Up to $25,000 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: property taxes are the defining difference here. New Hampshire's 2.09% rate versus Tennessee's 0.56% means Tennessee homeowners save approximately $7,083 every year on taxes alone. Over a 30-year mortgage, that difference compounds into tens of thousands of dollars — making it the most important cost factor in this comparison.