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Materials Scientists Salary in New Hampshire: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Materials Scientists salary really buy you in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is 7.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$119,990
Median annual (2025)
-7.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$111,514
COL-adjusted (RPP=107.6)

New Hampshire Cost of Living Index

New Hampshire's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 107.6, meaning prices are 7.6% higher the national average. A Materials Scientists earning $119,990 in New Hampshire has the equivalent purchasing power of $111,514 in an average-cost US state.

NH: 107.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New Hampshire's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $65,200 $60,594 $-4,605
25th Percentile (P25) $73,310 $68,131 $-5,178
Median (P50) $119,990 $111,514 $-8,475
75th Percentile (P75) $169,330 $157,369 $-11,960
90th Percentile (P90) $173,640 $161,375 $-12,264
Key Insight

While $119,990 sounds high, New Hampshire's elevated cost of living erases 7% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $111,514. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

New Hampshire Is a High-Cost State

RPP 107.6

New Hampshire's RPP of 107.6 puts it 7.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Materials Scientists needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-7.1%

After applying New Hampshire's RPP, the $119,990 median salary translates to $111,515 in real terms — a 7.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Materials Scientists.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#19 / 30

New Hampshire's rank of #19 of 30 states means real purchasing power for Materials Scientists trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Materials Scientists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Materials Scientists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$157,360
RPP 112.5
$149,187
RPP 92.3
3. Indiana
$142,200
RPP 91.8
4. Oregon
$141,228
RPP 106.6
$135,271
RPP 97.7
6. Utah
$134,222
RPP 94.5
7. Kansas
$128,322
RPP 90.0
$124,234
RPP 101.3
$122,481
RPP 106.4
10. New York
$122,434
RPP 107.6

New Hampshire ranks #19 out of 30 states for Materials Scientists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Materials Scientists take-home pay in New Hampshire after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Materials Scientists in New Hampshire after cost of living?

A Materials Scientists in New Hampshire earns a median salary of $119,990 per year. After adjusting for New Hampshire's cost of living (RPP=107.6), the real purchasing power is $111,514 — a -7.1% difference.

Is New Hampshire expensive to live in?

New Hampshire's cost of living is 7.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New Hampshire is 107.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Materials Scientists in New Hampshire: $119,990 x (100 / 107.6) = $111,514. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in New Hampshire offset the salary?

Partially — a Materials Scientists's nominal salary of $119,990 in New Hampshire has 7.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $111,514. However, New Hampshire may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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