Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Nashua?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Nashua?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Columbus vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 39% higher in Nashua, NH. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,127

+36% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,383

+58% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,699

+71% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,951

+60% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$373,100

+105% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$92,457

+63% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$56,530

+30% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

39.7 yr

+4.6 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

50.2%

56.4%

+6.2 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

40.5%

+10.8 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

20.2 min

25.3 min

+5.1 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

164.9

+73% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,269

+44% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

49.2°F

+16.5°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

44.6 in

+2.2 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

27.0

+65% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$21.67

+44% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / NH)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Columbus vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Nashua?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Nashua?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% 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).