Is it cheaper to live in Morgantown or Nashua?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Morgantown versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Morgantown or Nashua?

Morgantown is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Morgantown vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/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 $950 in Morgantown, WV versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $42,245 in Morgantown, WV and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 54% higher in Nashua, NH. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Morgantown, WV

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$836

$1,127

+35% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$770

$1,383

+80% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$969

$1,699

+75% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,038

$1,951

+88% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$238,200

$373,100

+57% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$42,245

$92,457

+119% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,350

$56,530

+19% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

24.0 yr

39.7 yr

+15.7 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

44.3%

56.4%

+12.1 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.1%

40.5%

+17.6 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

17.3 min

25.3 min

+8.0 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

216.3

164.9

+24% in Morgantown, WV

Property Crime

1,976.4

1,269

+36% in Morgantown, WV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.0°F

49.2°F

+3.8°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

41.8 in

44.6 in

+2.8 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

27.0

+75% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.68

$21.67

+12% in Morgantown, WV

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 Morgantown, WV

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 (WV / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.82%

None

+4.8 pp in WV

Morgantown vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Morgantown or Nashua?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Morgantown than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Morgantown versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Morgantown or Nashua?: Morgantown is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).