New Hampshire: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #15 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,377,529.
New Hampshire ranks #15 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (40.0). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 28.8 (Low), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 49.8 (Elevated). The 21.0-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 97,772 jobs.
New Hampshire: 40.0 Average Entry Risk
New Hampshire at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in New Hampshire
Industries with the lowest entry risk in New Hampshire.
Entry Risk by Industry in New Hampshire
Compare market entry conditions across industries in New Hampshire. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
New Hampshire Industry Data: 49,803 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 28.8 | #8/51 | 4,011 | 60,306 | $30,641 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 29.6 | #7/51 | 1,573 | 7,401 | $75,395 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 32.6 | #6/51 | 5,552 | 32,249 | $84,808 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 36.6 | #19/51 | 4,599 | 97,772 | $73,731 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 37.5 | #19/51 | 12,501 | 49,032 | $131,893 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.2 | #36/51 | 6,555 | 39,335 | $80,102 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 45.7 | #29/51 | 4,541 | 21,796 | $52,417 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 47.8 | #35/51 | 1,739 | 11,243 | $149,213 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 48.7 | #40/51 | 5,770 | 90,418 | $44,502 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 49.8 | #22/51 | 2,962 | 25,651 | $134,895 |
Largest Industries in New Hampshire by Employment
Metro Markets in New Hampshire
1 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How New Hampshire Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs NH |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 40.0 | — |
| Maine | 40.0 | 0.0 |
| Massachusetts | 40.6 | +0.6 |
| Vermont | 44.7 | +4.7 |
New Hampshire: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is New Hampshire's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
New Hampshire averages 40.0 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #15 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within New Hampshire?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in New Hampshire at 28.8 (Low). It employs 60,306 workers across 4,011 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in New Hampshire?
Finance and Insurance posts New Hampshire's highest entry risk at 49.8 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in New Hampshire?
49,803 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in New Hampshire, employing 435,203 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is New Hampshire's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in New Hampshire with 97,772 jobs across 4,599 establishments and an entry risk score of 36.6.