Skip to content
FreedomRankings

State vs State

Massachusetts vs New Hampshire: which is more free?

On the default equal-weight blend, New Hampshire scores higher overall — 74 vs 44 out of 100. The widest gap is in Property Rights, where New Hampshire leads by 8.0 points.

Massachusetts

Rank #46

D
44.1/ 100
New Hampshire

Rank #2

B
73.7/ 100
Higher overall

Massachusetts leads in 2 categories · New Hampshire leads in 7 · 1 tied

Category-by-category breakdown

MA
7.5
NH
7.5
2nd AmendmentNew Hampshire +5.7
MA
0.8
NH
6.5
4th AmendmentNew Hampshire +3.5
MA
1.5
NH
5.0
Economic FreedomNew Hampshire +4.7
MA
5.3
NH
10.0
Criminal JusticeMassachusetts +0.8
MA
10.0
NH
9.2
Drug PolicyMassachusetts +3.0
MA
9.5
NH
6.5
Property RightsNew Hampshire +8.0
MA
1.5
NH
9.5
Religious LibertyNew Hampshire +2.0
MA
4.5
NH
6.5
Education ChoiceNew Hampshire +7.6
MA
1.5
NH
9.1
Regulatory BurdenNew Hampshire +1.9
MA
2.0
NH
3.9

What stands out in Massachusetts

  • Strong criminal justice reform
  • Recreational marijuana legal
  • Very strict gun laws

What stands out in New Hampshire

  • No income or sales tax
  • Education Freedom Accounts
  • "Live Free or Die" motto

Massachusetts vs New Hampshire: common questions

Is Massachusetts or New Hampshire more free?

New Hampshire ranks higher overall, scoring 74/100 versus 44/100 across the ten freedom categories. New Hampshire wins 7 of the ten categories outright. Which state is "freer" for you depends on which of those freedoms you weight most.

Does Massachusetts or New Hampshire have more economic freedom and lower taxes?

New Hampshire scores higher on economic freedom (10.0/10 vs 5.3/10), the category that folds in tax burden, regulation, and business climate.

Which has stronger gun rights, Massachusetts or New Hampshire?

New Hampshire scores higher on Second Amendment freedom (6.5/10 vs 0.8/10), reflecting carry laws, permitting, and firearm restrictions.

Massachusetts vs New Hampshire: which is better for school choice?

New Hampshire scores higher on education choice (9.1/10 vs 1.5/10), covering vouchers, ESAs, charters, and homeschool freedom.

Related comparisons