Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Nashua?

Nashua, NH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,660 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Nashua?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/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 $1,790 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Nashua, NH is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 11% higher in Nashua, NH. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,127

+32% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,383

+12% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,699

+0% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,951

+25% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$373,100

+11% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$92,457

+13% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$56,530

+10% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

39.7 yr

+5.7 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

46.3%

56.4%

+10.1 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

40.5%

+17.9 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

25.3 min

+1.5 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

164.9

+73% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,269

+64% in Atlanta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

49.2°F

+13.4°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

44.6 in

+5.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

27.0

+65% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$21.67

+44% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Nashua, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Nashua, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Nashua, NH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Nashua, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NH)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Nashua?: Nashua, NH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,660 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Nashua?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).