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State profile · New Hampshire

Why is gas cheaper in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire's gasoline averages $3.31 a gallon, $0.07 below the U.S. average of $3.38. About 24 cents per gallon comes from state taxes. The rest is crude oil, which is roughly half the pump price nationwide, plus the cost of refining and delivering fuel to New Hampshire stations.

#26 of 50Democratic control−$0.07 vs U.S.
Average price · Jan–May 2026 $3.31/gal AAA regular-grade retail
National rank #26 of 50 states
vs national average −$0.07 2% below U.S. avg
5-year change +$0.76 since Jan–May 2021

What you're paying for

dollars per gallon, estimated June 2026
Base costs$3.07
Crude oil cost$1.74
Refining$0.48
Distribution & marketing$0.67
Federal excise tax$0.18
New Hampshire policy adds$0.24
State excise + sales tax$0.24
The takeaway

New Hampshire pays about $0.07 less per gallon than the U.S. average, helped by low state taxes and ample regional fuel supply.

Policy environment
State + local gas tax (total)23.8 ¢/gal
Carbon program on motor fuelNo
State-specific fuel blendNo
Political control
Today: Unified Republican
Governor + House + Senate, all R
Years D, 2001–2025: 4 of 25
Years R, 2001–2025: 9 of 25
Years split: 12 of 25
Blue: unified D · Red: unified R · Gray: split
How New Hampshire compares

Against its neighbors

Amber line marks the U.S. average of $3.38.

#13   Vermont
$3.45
#16   Connecticut
$3.41
#19   Maine
$3.38
#22   Massachusetts
$3.35
#23   Rhode Island
$3.35
#26   New Hampshire
$3.31
Ten-year history

Price over time

New Hampshire  U.S. average

$2.06$2.73$3.39$4.05201720192021202320252026
Common questions

New Hampshire, explained

Why does gas cost about $3.31 a gallon in New Hampshire?

Using the U.S. Energy Information Administration's national price breakdown, New Hampshire's pump price is roughly $1.74 for crude oil, $0.48 for refining, $0.67 for distribution and marketing, the 18.4-cent federal excise tax, and about 24 cents in state taxes. That puts it $0.07 below the national average of $3.38.

How much of New Hampshire's gas price is taxes?+

New Hampshire charges about 24 cents per gallon in state gasoline taxes, on top of the 18.4-cent federal tax. Combined, taxes make up roughly 13% of the $3.31 pump price.

Does New Hampshire have a carbon program or special gasoline blend?+

No. Unlike California and Washington, New Hampshire does not put a carbon price on motor fuel or require a state-specific gasoline blend, so neither adds to its pump price.

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