I'm in a similar situation and it breaks down the same, except my "student loans" is a car payment. I think you have your head in the right place. Your fun/misc budget may be a bit low but try to lower that food bill to compensate. Door dash/uber eats will be your biggest enemy.

I moved here for a job I was really interested in. I wanted to stay in NH for the income tax and stay close to work. I have a dog which made things more difficult but as a renter outside of portsmouth/dover there arent many options unless youre looking in manchester( which is still very expensive) so given the lack of rentals i was somewhat forced into where i am. I feel like thats a common theme in the area and is why rentals are so expensive. More people want to live here than what the housing can accomidate. Great sign for homeowners, not great as renters.

i work in stratham but moved here to live in portsmouth. rent is ridiculous. i have a shitty 2bedroom that is about 2200 a month to run, I had to find a random roommate online. luckily everything has gone well. Part of me does regret moving here with the COL tho