Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Nashua?

Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Nashua?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/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 $1,040 in Albuquerque, NM versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 29% higher in Nashua, NH. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$797

$1,127

+41% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,383

+56% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$1,699

+49% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,951

+34% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$373,100

+40% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$92,457

+41% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$56,530

+18% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

39.7 yr

+1.0 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

61.5%

56.4%

+5.1 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

40.5%

+1.8 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

22.2 min

25.3 min

+3.1 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

164.9

+86% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

1,269

+73% in Albuquerque, NM

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.2°F

49.2°F

+8.0°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

44.6 in

+35.1 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Nashua, NH

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

—

Adult base one-way fare — ABQ RIDE vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

27.0

+79% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$21.67

+133% in Nashua, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Albuquerque, NM

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / NH)

4.875%

None

+4.9 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

None

+5.9 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Nashua?: Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Nashua?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).