Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Nashua?

Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Nashua?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Nashua?

Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Aberdeen vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Aberdeen

South Dakota

$740/mo est.

Nashua

New Hampshire

$1,660/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $740 in Aberdeen, SD versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Aberdeen, SD is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,715 in Aberdeen, SD and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 31% higher in Nashua, NH. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Aberdeen, SD

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$529

$1,127

+113% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$576

$1,383

+140% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$824

$1,699

+106% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$924

$1,951

+111% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$205,500

$373,100

+82% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$63,715

$92,457

+45% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$56,530

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.8 yr

39.7 yr

+3.9 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

58.4%

56.4%

+2.0 pp in Aberdeen, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.6%

40.5%

+6.9 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

11.1 min

25.3 min

+14.2 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

275

164.9

+40% in Aberdeen, SD

Property Crime

1,421.2

1,269

+11% in Aberdeen, SD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

49.2°F

+6.2°F in Nashua, NH

Annual Precipitation

21.7 in

44.6 in

+22.9 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Nashua, NH

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

27.0

+76% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.26

$21.67

+42% in Nashua, NH

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Nashua, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aberdeen, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Nashua, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Nashua, NH

Average prices — Midwest vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SD / NH)

4.2%

None

+4.2 pp in SD

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Aberdeen vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Nashua?: Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Nashua?: Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).