Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Nashua?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Nashua?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Eugene vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Eugene, OR versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 31% higher in Nashua, NH. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,127

+11% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,383

+28% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,699

+20% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,951

+17% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$373,100

+14% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$92,457

+45% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$56,530

+14% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

39.7 yr

+4.3 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

47.6%

56.4%

+8.8 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

40.5%

+3.7 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

25.3 min

+6.7 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

164.9

+48% in Eugene, OR

Property Crime

3,348.9

1,269

+62% in Eugene, OR

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

49.2°F

+3.3°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

44.6 in

+1.5 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

27.0

+66% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$21.67

+0% in Nashua, NH

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

Average prices — West vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / NH)

None

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

None

+9.9 pp in OR

Eugene vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Nashua?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Nashua?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).