Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Nashua?

Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Nashua?

Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Lexington vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Lexington

Kentucky

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Lexington, KY versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Lexington, KY is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington, KY and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 27% higher in Nashua, NH. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Lexington, KY

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$769

$1,127

+47% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$887

$1,383

+56% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,119

$1,699

+52% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,408

$1,951

+39% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$272,100

$373,100

+37% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$67,631

$92,457

+37% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,620

$56,530

+16% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

39.7 yr

+4.5 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

53.6%

56.4%

+2.8 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.3%

40.5%

+6.8 pp in Lexington, KY

Avg Commute

20.8 min

25.3 min

+4.5 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.1

164.9

+39% in Lexington, KY

Property Crime

2,304.4

1,269

+45% in Lexington, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

55.6°F

49.2°F

+6.4°F in Lexington, KY

Annual Precipitation

45.2 in

44.6 in

+0.6 in in Lexington, KY

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)

14.3

27.0

+89% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.20

$21.67

+35% in Lexington, KY

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 Lexington, KY

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 (KY / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in KY

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

None

+3.5 pp in KY

Lexington vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Nashua?: Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lexington than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Nashua?: Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).