Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Nashua?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Nashua?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Detroit vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$990/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 $990 in Detroit, MI versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 57% higher in Nashua, NH. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$801

$1,127

+41% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$752

$1,383

+84% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$1,699

+70% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,951

+63% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$373,100

+386% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$92,457

+134% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$56,530

+9% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

39.7 yr

+4.6 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

49.7%

56.4%

+6.7 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

40.5%

+22.9 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

25.4 min

25.3 min

+0.1 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

164.9

+91% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

1,269

+71% in Detroit, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.3°F

49.2°F

+1.1°F in Detroit, MI

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

44.6 in

+13.3 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Nashua, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.0

27.0

+17% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$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 Detroit, MI

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 (MI / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

None

+4.3 pp in MI

Detroit vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Nashua?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Nashua?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% 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).