Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Nashua?

Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,650 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Nashua?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Frederick vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/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 $1,650 in Frederick, MD versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Frederick, MD is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 3% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,127

+32% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,383

+2% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,699

+2% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,951

+5% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$373,100

+2% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$92,457

+3% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$56,530

+20% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

39.7 yr

+2.6 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

59.2%

56.4%

+2.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

40.5%

+1.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

25.3 min

+4.8 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

164.9

+59% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,269

+25% in Frederick, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.1°F

49.2°F

+2.9°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

44.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

27.0

+24% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$21.67

+4% in Frederick, MD

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 Frederick, MD

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 (MD / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Nashua?: Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,650 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Nashua?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).