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City Report · NH

Keene

Pop. 22,939·17th most expensive in New Hampshire·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,818/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.5%
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
-$147
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Keene · $1,818
More affordable than 52% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Keene's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,818/mo
Expected by trend
$1,945/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Keene's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,100
1 BR
$1,220
2 BR
$1,600
3 BR
$2,080
4 BR+
$2,120
Research median
$1,600/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$21,816/yr
At $1,818/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 2.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.5% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Keene, NH is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 44.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,939
Median income
$78,445
Median age
37.6
Renters
44.9%
Age distribution
14.1%
32.3%
22.7%
19.5%
Under 1814.1%
18–3432.3%
35–5422.7%
55–6411.4%
65+19.5%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
92.1%
White92.1%
Black1.7%
Hispanic1.9%
Asian0.7%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
25.4%
24.8%
44.1%
No HS diploma5.7%
HS diploma25.4%
Some college24.8%
Bachelor's+44.1%
Housing tenure
55.1%
44.9%
Owner55.1%
Renter44.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Keene, NH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,598 → $1,818
up 13.8%
Income
$63,490 → $78,445
up 23.6%
Population
22,969 → 22,939
down 0.1%
Renter share
45.7% → 44.9%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
42% → 44.1%
+2.1 pts
Median age
36.9 → 37.6
+0.7 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Keene, NH paid around $1,598 a month. That figure now sits near $1,818, up 13.8% from the 2023 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $63,490 in 2021 to $78,445 more recently. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 42% to 44.1% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Keene, NH market of 2023.

Community

Discussions about Keene

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View Keene rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Keene on your salary?

At $1,818/mo, how Keene rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Keene rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Keene. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Keene

About renting in Keene, NH

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Keene is $1,818/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,100/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,600/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,080/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($78,445/yr), Keene ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Keene an affordable city for renters?

Keene is considered affordable for renters. At $1,818/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($78,445/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Keene falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Keene?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $73,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,818/mo in Keene. The local median household income is $78,445/yr, meaning the typical Keene household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Keene?

Rent in Keene has decreased 2.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Keene rent compare to other cities in New Hampshire?

Keene is one of the more affordable cities in New Hampshire for rent, ranking #17 out of 18 tracked cities at $1,818/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Keene?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Keene ($1,818/mo): Gardner ($1,603/mo), Claremont ($1,691/mo), Brattleboro ($1,753/mo).

What percentage of Keene residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.9% of Keene households are renters, while 55.1% are owner-occupied. Keene leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Keene rent compare to the national average?

Keene's median rent of $1,818/mo is $147 (7%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Hampshire, it ranks #17 out of 18 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,818/mo, rent takes ~28% of Keene's median household income ($78,445/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Keene 28%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Keene, NH

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