Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Nashua?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Nashua?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Idaho Falls vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 25% higher in Nashua, NH. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$818

$1,127

+38% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$827

$1,383

+67% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$957

$1,699

+78% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,951

+53% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$373,100

+25% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$92,457

+33% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$56,530

+21% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

39.7 yr

+6.2 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

64.1%

56.4%

+7.7 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

40.5%

+9.5 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

18.2 min

25.3 min

+7.1 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

164.9

+55% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

1,235.5

1,269

+3% in Nashua, NH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.2°F

49.2°F

+5.0°F in Nashua, NH

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

44.6 in

+34.2 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

27.0

+88% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$21.67

+91% in Nashua, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

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 (ID / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

None

+5.3 pp in ID

Idaho Falls vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Nashua?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Nashua?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).