Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between New Hampshire and Washington. Updated for 2026.
New Hampshire wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $430K and lower overall costs, New Hampshire offers meaningful savings compared to Washington. 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 $651/month ($7,812/year) compared to Washington, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
New Hampshire offers meaningfully lower home prices than Washington, with median prices running 26% less ($150K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Washington may find New Hampshire far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Property taxes are dramatically different: Washington charges 0.98% while New Hampshire charges 2.09%, a gap of 1.11 percentage points. On the respective median homes, this means New Hampshire homeowners pay roughly $8,987 per year in property taxes versus $5,684 in Washington. Over 30 years of homeownership, this difference alone can add up to six figures. Retirees on fixed incomes should weigh this heavily.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. New Hampshire's NHHFA Home Flex Plus provides Up to $20,000 DPA, while Washington's WSHFC Home Advantage offers Up to $10,000 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 Washington's 0.98% means Washington homeowners save approximately $3,303 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.