Yeah, it doesn't get a hair more than $500/yr cheaper and would exclude bus access. (note the shitty living situation) Part of the reason is that NH has a high property tax instead of having income tax. That's passed on to the renters.
Have you checked out Seabrook (dunno what your feelings are towards salt marches and nuclear plants). I hear they almost pay people to live there. We were talking about moving to the Free State for a while but the property taxes are scary. Now it looks like we'll be buying a house in Oregon.