%
CapRateCity
Free cap rate calculators for every US market
MarketsNew HampshireKeeneCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Keene, NH

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Keene, NH

Cap Rate
3.22%
Median Price
$375K
Rent/Mo
$1,910
1% Rule
0.51%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Keene's price-to-income ratio is 5.5x — homes cost 5.5 times the local median household income of $67,733. Housing is stretched relative to local incomes. Many workers are effectively priced out of buying, creating deep rental demand. This is favorable for landlords but also means your tenants may be more cost-sensitive.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Keene (20% down at 7%) is approximately $2,494/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $3,194. The median rent of $1,910/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Keene is $67,733, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% per year. Keene is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

The stretched affordability means strong rental demand, but tight margins require precision. Target below-median prices where rents are still strong, or use value-add strategies to force equity and improve cash flow.

Sponsored · Want to analyze a specific property? DealCheck imports real listing data and runs the full analysis for you.
Try Free →

How Keene Compares

Keene vs New Hampshire state average and national average across key investment metrics. Keene's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Keene
New Hampshire Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.22%
2.55%
3.81%
Median Price
$375K
$468K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,910
$2,047
$1,524
Property Tax
1.84%
1.84%
1.08%
Vacancy
4.2%
4.2%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.5%/yr
0.5%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Northeast Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Keene, NH
3.2%
$375K
$1,910
1.84%
Wilmington, DE
4.3%
$375K
$1,860
0.56%
Philadelphia, PA
3.5%
$375K
$1,860
1.36%
Lancaster, PA
2.4%
$375K
$1,510
1.35%
Camden, NJ
2.4%
$375K
$1,860
2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keene affordable for renters?
Renters in Keene spend approximately 34% of median household income on rent. This exceeds the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs are stretched relative to local incomes. The median household income is $67,733, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Keene?
Keene's price-to-income ratio is 5.5x, meaning homes cost 5.5 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Keene?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $375K home is approximately $1,995/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $2,695/mo. The median rent of $1,910/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Keene's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Keene ($375K) are 12% above the national average. Rents ($1,910/mo) are 25% above average. Property taxes (1.84%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Keene Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Keene & Related Markets

More Keene Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

Similar Markets in the Northeast

Buffalo, NY$270K · $1,370/mo
3.2%
Lock Haven, PA$190K · $910/mo
3.2%
Worcester, MA$465K · $2,120/mo
3.2%
Augusta, ME$305K · $1,420/mo
3.2%
Somerset, PA$170K · $810/mo
3.2%
The CapRateCity Report
Weekly market analysis: highest cap rate cities, emerging markets, and deal breakdowns. Free, no spam.