Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Nashua?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Nashua?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 36% higher in Nashua, NH. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,127

+7% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,383

+29% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,699

+26% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,951

+25% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$373,100

+70% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$92,457

+55% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$56,530

+4% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

39.7 yr

+3.6 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

47.5%

56.4%

+8.9 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

40.5%

+5.1 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

29.4 min

25.3 min

+4.1 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

164.9

+90% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,269

+70% in Baltimore, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

49.2°F

+12.2°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

44.6 in

+2.1 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

27.0

+24% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$21.67

+4% in Baltimore, MD

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 Baltimore, MD

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 (MD / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Nashua?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Nashua?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).