Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Nashua?

Mesa, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Nashua?

Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Mesa vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Mesa

Arizona

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Mesa, AZ versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Mesa, AZ is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 15% higher in Nashua, NH. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Mesa, AZ

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,209

$1,127

+7% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,288

$1,383

+7% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,458

$1,699

+17% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,951

+7% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$364,300

$373,100

+2% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$78,779

$92,457

+17% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$56,530

+10% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

39.7 yr

+2.5 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

64.4%

56.4%

+8.0 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.5%

40.5%

+9.0 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

25.0 min

25.3 min

+0.3 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

486.2

164.9

+66% in Mesa, AZ

Property Crime

1,488

1,269

+15% in Mesa, AZ

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

75.1°F

49.2°F

+25.9°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

44.6 in

+36.5 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Mesa, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

27.0

+78% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.74

$21.67

+12% in Mesa, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Mesa, AZ

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 (AZ / NH)

5.6%

None

+5.6 pp in AZ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in AZ

Mesa vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Nashua?: Mesa, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Nashua?: Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).