Moving from Maine to New Hampshire

How will my taxes change?

Maine has a personal income tax and a state sales tax. New Hampshire has neither a broad-based personal income tax nor a general sales tax, and the interest and dividends tax was repealed for taxable periods beginning after December 31, 2024.

New Hampshire towns rely heavily on local property tax, and rates vary from town to town, so similar homes on either side of a town line can have quite different bills. Compare the actual bill on a specific home. See how New Hampshire property taxes work.

If you keep working at a Maine workplace, Maine generally taxes those wages as Maine-source income even though you live in New Hampshire. Remote work arrangements depend on the facts; talk with a tax professional.

How do people cross back and forth?

On the Seacoast, I-95 crosses the Piscataqua River into Kittery, along with the Route 1 Memorial Bridge and the Route 1 Bypass. The Little Bay Bridges on the Spaulding Turnpike connect Newington and Dover within New Hampshire; they don’t cross into Maine. Traffic at peak times can differ a lot from the map estimate, so drive it at your real hour.

Route 16 and the Spaulding Turnpike carry traffic through Rochester, Somersworth and Dover; Route 202 and Route 25 handle inland crossings; Route 302 and Route 2 cross farther north.

Amtrak’s Downeaster links Brunswick and Portland with Dover, Durham–UNH, Exeter and Boston, which helps if you still travel into Maine or Boston regularly.

What do I need to do in my first weeks?

• Driver’s license: if you drive, New Hampshire requires a New Hampshire license within 60 days of becoming a resident (RSA 263:35).
• Vehicle registration: start at your town or city clerk, where you pay the local permit fee based on the vehicle’s list price and age, then complete the state portion—often at the same counter.
• Voter registration: register with your town or city clerk, or at your polling place on election day.
• Trash and water: many towns use a transfer station instead of curbside pickup, and some have no town water or sewer. Ask before you assume a service exists.
• See the full first 30 days checklist.

What is different about buying a home here?

Private wells and septic systems are common outside the larger cities and villages. Check them separately from the general home inspection: locate the septic system, review the approved design, have it evaluated by a qualified professional, and test well water following NH DES guidance.

New Hampshire’s Real Estate Transfer Tax is generally $0.75 per $100 of the price, charged to the buyer and to the seller separately, with a $20 minimum for each. Closings may be handled by attorney or non-attorney title agents; ask your lender or closing provider who will conduct yours.

Buying on a lake, river or the coast? If any part of a developed waterfront home’s septic system is within 250 feet of the water’s reference line, state law requires a licensed septic evaluation before the sale. See waterfront and seasonal homes and our full home buying guide.

Wells, septic, radon and older homes will be familiar from Maine, but the paperwork isn’t interchangeable: registration starts at the town or city clerk, and local permit fees vary.

What small differences add up?

With no general sales tax, purchases around a move—vehicles, appliances, furniture—cost less at the register. Vehicle costs show up instead in the annual local permit fee at registration.

Trash and recycling are handled town by town, and many towns use a transfer station rather than curbside pickup. Ask your town clerk.