Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Nashua?

Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Nashua?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/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 $1,190 in Birmingham, AL versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Birmingham, AL is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 52% higher in Nashua, NH. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$857

$1,127

+32% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$1,383

+38% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$1,699

+69% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,951

+64% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$373,100

+169% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$92,457

+108% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$56,530

+18% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

39.7 yr

+3.8 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

45.1%

56.4%

+11.3 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

40.5%

+9.8 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

21.5 min

25.3 min

+3.8 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

164.9

+87% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

1,269

+70% in Birmingham, AL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

63.3°F

49.2°F

+14.1°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

44.6 in

+9.1 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Nashua, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

27.0

+65% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$21.67

+10% in Birmingham, AL

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 Birmingham, AL

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 (AL / NH)

None

+4.0 pp in AL

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

None

+5.0 pp in AL

Birmingham vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Nashua?: Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Nashua?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% 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).