Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Nashua?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Nashua?

Augusta 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).

Augusta vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/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 $1,130 in Augusta, GA versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 43% 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.

Augusta, GA

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,127

+44% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,383

+51% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,699

+64% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,951

+59% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$373,100

+129% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$92,457

+74% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$56,530

+23% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

39.7 yr

+4.8 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

50.9%

56.4%

+5.5 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

40.5%

+16.3 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

20.6 min

25.3 min

+4.7 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

164.9

+70% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,269

+65% in Augusta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.2°F

49.2°F

+16.0°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

44.6 in

+2.0 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

27.0

+65% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$21.67

+44% in Augusta, 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 Augusta, 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

Augusta vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Nashua?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Nashua?: Augusta 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).