Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Nashua?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Nashua?

Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Memphis vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,211 in Memphis, TN and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 45% higher in Nashua, NH. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Memphis, TN

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,127

+29% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$948

$1,383

+46% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,699

+58% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,281

$1,951

+52% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$157,100

$373,100

+137% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,211

$92,457

+81% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,890

$56,530

+21% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

39.7 yr

+5.4 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

46.0%

56.4%

+10.4 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.2%

40.5%

+12.3 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

21.3 min

25.3 min

+4.0 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

2,507.6

164.9

+93% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

6,966.3

1,269

+82% in Memphis, TN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

63.1°F

49.2°F

+13.9°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

44.6 in

+9.1 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Nashua, NH

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — MATA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

27.0

+92% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.75

$21.67

+10% in Nashua, NH

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 Memphis, TN

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 (TN / NH)

None

+7.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Memphis vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Nashua?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Memphis than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Nashua?: Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax 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).