Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Nashua?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Nashua?

Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Lincoln vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 24% higher in Nashua, NH. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$851

$1,127

+32% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$879

$1,383

+57% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,699

+59% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,951

+41% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$373,100

+50% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$92,457

+32% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$56,530

+14% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

39.7 yr

+6.3 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

55.8%

56.4%

+0.6 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

40.5%

+0.5 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

18.3 min

25.3 min

+7.0 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

164.9

+55% in Lincoln, NE

Property Crime

2,484.4

1,269

+49% in Lincoln, NE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

49.2°F

+2.3°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

44.6 in

+13.7 in in Nashua, NH

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)

13.3

27.0

+104% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$21.67

+8% in Nashua, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Nashua, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Nashua, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Nashua, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / NH)

5.5%

None

+5.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Lincoln vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Nashua?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Nashua?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).