Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Nashua?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% 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 $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Nashua?

Columbus 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).

Columbus vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Columbus, OH versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 29% 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.

Columbus, OH

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$1,127

+11% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$1,383

+31% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,699

+33% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,951

+43% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$373,100

+59% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$92,457

+42% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$56,530

+10% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

39.7 yr

+6.7 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

44.3%

56.4%

+12.1 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

40.5%

+2.3 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

25.3 min

+3.5 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

164.9

+66% in Columbus, OH

Property Crime

3,093.9

1,269

+59% in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

44.6 in

+4.5 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Nashua, NH

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

27.0

+41% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$21.67

+5% in Columbus, 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 Columbus, 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

Columbus vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Nashua?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% 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 $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Nashua?: Columbus 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).