Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Nashua?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (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 Jackson than in Nashua?

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

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Nashua?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Jackson vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/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 $1,000 in Jackson, MS versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 53% higher in Nashua, NH. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,127

+4% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,383

+69% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,699

+71% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,951

+74% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$373,100

+245% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$92,457

+114% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$56,530

+32% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

39.7 yr

+5.0 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

48.6%

56.4%

+7.8 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

40.5%

+11.9 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

20.2 min

25.3 min

+5.1 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

164.9

Property Crime

—

1,269

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

49.2°F

+16.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

44.6 in

+9.7 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Nashua, NH

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

27.0

+82% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$21.67

+25% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 (MS / NH)

None

+7.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

None

+4.0 pp in MS

Jackson vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Nashua?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (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 Jackson than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Nashua?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).