Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Nashua?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Nashua?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/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 $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 16% higher in Nashua, NH. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,127

+56% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,383

+72% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,699

+72% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,951

+37% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$373,100

+28% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$92,457

+19% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$56,530

+8% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

39.7 yr

+1.5 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

65.8%

56.4%

+9.4 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

40.5%

+1.8 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

15.5 min

25.3 min

+9.8 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

164.9

+41% in Bismarck, ND

Property Crime

2,417.1

1,269

+47% in Bismarck, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

49.2°F

+6.2°F in Nashua, NH

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

44.6 in

+26.7 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Nashua, NH

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

27.0

+91% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$21.67

+19% in Nashua, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Nashua, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Nashua, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Nashua, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / NH)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Nashua?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Nashua?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).