Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Nashua?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Nashua?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/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 $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 58% higher in Nashua, NH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$678

$1,127

+66% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$732

$1,383

+89% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,699

+88% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,951

+80% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$373,100

+296% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$92,457

+136% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$56,530

+13% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

39.7 yr

+3.4 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

41.2%

56.4%

+15.2 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

40.5%

+19.2 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

22.9 min

25.3 min

+2.4 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

164.9

+90% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

1,269

+72% in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

44.6 in

+8.2 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Nashua, NH

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

27.0

+41% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$21.67

+5% in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH

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 (OH / NH)

5.75%

None

+5.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cleveland vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Nashua?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Nashua?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).