Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Nashua?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Nashua?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Chicago vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 19% higher in Nashua, NH. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,127

+5% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,383

+10% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,699

+21% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,951

+26% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$373,100

+18% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$92,457

+23% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$56,530

+3% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

39.7 yr

+4.0 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

45.5%

56.4%

+10.9 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

40.5%

+2.8 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

25.3 min

+8.2 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

164.9

+69% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,269

+64% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

49.2°F

+3.5°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

44.6 in

+6.6 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

27.0

+36% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$21.67

+10% 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 Chicago, IL

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 (IL / NH)

6.25%

None

+6.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Nashua?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Nashua?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).