Massachusetts vs New Hampshire: Vehicle Registration Cost Comparison
Comparing what the same vehicles cost to register each year in Massachusetts versus New Hampshire, computed from both states' current official fee schedules:
| Scenario | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| New $45k gas SUV | $1,043.00/yr | $864.00/yr |
| 3-yr-old $35k gas car | $380.00/yr | $369.00/yr |
| New $55k EV | $1,268.00/yr | $1,144.00/yr |
| 10-yr-old $8k car | $80.00/yr | $114.00/yr |
For most vehicles, New Hampshire is the cheaper state to register in — though the gap varies a lot by vehicle value and age. Keep in mind annual registration is only part of the picture: sales/excise taxes at purchase, insurance, and local property taxes on vehicles can outweigh the registration difference.
Massachusetts in short
Massachusetts registration is $60 per two-year cycle, but the real annual cost is the municipal motor-vehicle excise: $25 per $1,000 of valuation, where valuation starts at 90% of MSRP in the model year and steps down to 60%, 40%, 25%, and 10% as the car ages. Enter your MSRP for the exact excise. A $75 title fee applies once.
New Hampshire in short
New Hampshire registration has two parts. The state fee is weight-based — $42 per year for cars up to 3,000 lbs after the January 2026 increases. The town fee is value-based: $18 per $1,000 of the manufacturer's list price for a current-model-year vehicle, stepping down each year to $3 per $1,000 at year six and beyond. A new $40,000 vehicle owes roughly $760 in year one, falling to under $200 by year six. New for 2026: EVs pay a $100 surcharge and plug-in hybrids $50. There's no sales tax.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-motor-vehicle-excise · https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles-fees — last reviewed 2026-07-21.