By GARRY RAYNO, Distant Dome

Election season brings frequent mentions of the New Hampshire Advantage, though the slogan draws little support from Democrats.

Republicans first coined the phrase at a dinner table discussion involving then-candidate Steve Merrill. He aimed to counter opponent Ed Dupont's detailed economic development blueprint as the state recovered from a national downturn worsened by the collapse of its five largest banks. That event left the FDIC holding significant real estate along Manchester's Elm Street and numerous vacant condos along the Seacoast.

Over time the slogan evolved into a promise of no broad-based sales or income taxes, positioning New Hampshire favorably against neighboring states.

The claim also reinforces the idea that New Hampshire remains a low-tax state, at least for those with substantial wealth who avoid income taxes on their assets.

Homeowners and property owners recognize that New Hampshire maintains some of the nation's highest property tax rates. These levies cover more than 70 percent of public education expenses and nearly all municipal and county costs.

Numerous national rankings place the state in the middle range for overall tax payments, rarely near the bottom.

A recent analysis from Visual Capitalist, a digital media outlet that converts complex information into infographics and charts, presents a contrasting picture.

The firm also covers topics such as income needed for comfortable living in each state, leading state exports, global equity markets, and worldwide economic rankings.

The Lifetime Taxes report illustrates the total taxes an individual would pay across every state.

Researchers drew from data gathered every two years by Self Financial, projecting payments through an average lifespan of 79.6 years. The figures were refreshed in July.

Calculations cover federal and state income taxes along with sales, property, and vehicle taxes.

The model assumes a 45-year career with steady earnings and tax rates, home purchase at age 40, and acquisition of five vehicles during a lifetime.

Federal Census figures and state-specific information help shape each state's estimate.

The report indicates a lifelong New Hampshire resident would pay 1,125,478 dollars in taxes, ranking fourth nationally. This amount equals 43.2 percent of projected lifetime earnings totaling 2.6 million dollars.

New Jersey leads with lifetime taxes of 1,359,406 dollars or 48.2 percent of earnings. Massachusetts follows at 1,297,130 dollars or 44.3 percent, and Connecticut stands at 1,249,749 dollars or 44.9 percent.

New York ranks fifth at 1,084,561 dollars, California sixth at 1,075,061 dollars, then Maryland, Illinois, Minnesota, and Rhode Island.

Vermont places 11th with 953,322 dollars, while Maine sits 19th at 758,818 dollars.

The Northeast dominates the upper portion of the list.

Residents of the top nine states will each pay more than one million dollars over their lifetimes.

Florida ranks lowest with roughly 509,000 dollars or 25.5 percent of lifetime earnings. South Dakota follows at 515,732 dollars, Arkansas at 517,942 dollars, Oklahoma at 526,333 dollars, and Nevada at 535,652 dollars.

Additional states near the bottom include Wyoming, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Kentucky.

The projections account for taxes on earnings, property, personal spending, and vehicles.

Self Financial estimates the average American will pay 762,272 dollars in lifetime taxes, or 33.6 percent of earnings amounting to 2,266,605 dollars.

This represents an increase of 237,647 dollars from 2024.

Taxes on earnings form the largest share for the average American at 532,580 dollars, up 262,166 dollars since 2024.

Apparently the average American missed the substantial tax reductions in the major legislation Republicans enacted last year.

Anyone outside the highest brackets who filed taxes on last year's income already understands this reality.

Yet the Visual Capitalist report offers more positive findings for New Hampshire regarding income required for comfortable living.

New Hampshire does not rank among the ten costliest states. It places 11th, where a single adult needs 107,203 dollars annually.

Hawaii tops the list, requiring 129,002 dollars for an adult to live comfortably, defined as 50 percent for necessities, 30 percent for discretionary items, and 20 percent for savings or financial objectives.

Massachusetts ranks second at 127,213 dollars, California third at 126,797 dollars, New York fourth at 124,342 dollars, and New Jersey fifth at 113,776 dollars.

Positions six through ten include Washington, Oregon, Connecticut, Colorado, and Maryland.

Rhode Island stands 13th at 104,042 dollars, Vermont 15th at 103,667 dollars, and Maine 16th at 102,918 dollars.

SmartAsset supplied the underlying data using pre-tax amounts.

In 23 states an individual requires more than 100,000 dollars yearly to live comfortably.

Although coastal areas often appear most expensive, six-figure incomes are also necessary in Utah, Arizona, Montana, Georgia, Nevada, and Florida.

West Virginia sits at the low end with 81,245 dollars, followed by Arkansas at 83,242 dollars, Kentucky at 84,074 dollars, Louisiana at 84,739 dollars, South Dakota at 85,405 dollars, and North Dakota at 85,738 dollars.

The next four states are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Alabama.

For a family of four, New Hampshire ranks 12th, requiring 267,904 dollars. Massachusetts leads at 329,555 dollars, Connecticut places fourth at 298,189 dollars, Vermont 19th at 280,384 dollars, Rhode Island 13th at 264,659 dollars, and Maine 16th at 250,931 dollars.

Only six states fall below the 200,000-dollar threshold for a family of four. From lowest to highest they are Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Alabama.

Numbers alone do not capture every detail, yet they clarify the state's standing relative to the nation.

The elevated cost of living and taxation in the Northeast compared with other regions should surprise no one.

Those facing financial pressures to support themselves and their children encounter a double challenge.

Within New Hampshire the contrast between the prosperous Nashua-Concord-Portsmouth corridor and Coos County remains stark.

Still, property taxes across the state are far from low, and inflation steadily reduces what might otherwise provide comfort.

Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.

Distant Dome by veteran journalist Garry Rayno explores a broader perspective on the State House and state happenings for InDepthNH.org. Over his three-decade career, Rayno covered the NH State House for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Foster's Daily Democrat. During his career, his coverage spanned the news spectrum, from local planning, school and select boards, to national issues such as electric industry deregulation and Presidential primaries. Rayno lives with his wife Carolyn and their two rescue dogs.