Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Concord?

Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Concord?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $45,000 in Concord.

Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Concord?

Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Bowling Green vs Concord Cost of Living 2026

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/mo est.

Concord

New Hampshire

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $1,410 in Concord, NH. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Concord, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $83,701 in Concord, NH — about 42% higher in Concord, NH. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY

Concord, NH

Rent

Studio

$878

$876

+0% in Bowling Green, KY

1 Bedroom

$833

$1,134

+36% in Concord, NH

2 Bedroom

$960

$1,475

+54% in Concord, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,769

+46% in Concord, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,100

$323,700

+39% in Concord, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$48,419

$83,701

+73% in Concord, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,040

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.9 yr

40.7 yr

+12.8 yr in Concord, NH

Homeownership

37.3%

57.4%

+20.1 pp in Concord, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.0%

40.1%

+8.1 pp in Concord, NH

Avg Commute

18.8 min

23.2 min

+4.4 min in Concord, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

231

180.7

+22% in Bowling Green, KY

Property Crime

2,984.4

1,251.5

+58% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.0°F

46.4°F

+11.6°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

40.6 in

+9.3 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Concord, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

27.0

+89% in Concord, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.20

$21.67

+35% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Concord, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Concord, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Bowling Green, KY

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Concord, NH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Concord, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Concord, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in KY

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

None

+3.5 pp in KY

Bowling Green vs Concord — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Concord?: Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Concord?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $45,000 in Concord.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Concord?: Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Concord 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).