Is it cheaper to live in Nashua or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Nashua or Norman?

Nashua is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Nashua vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Nashua

New Hampshire

$1,660/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,660 in Nashua, NH versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $92,457 in Nashua, NH and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 30% higher in Nashua, NH. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Nashua, NH

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,127

$820

+27% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,383

$863

+38% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,699

$1,056

+38% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,951

$1,377

+29% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$373,100

$239,300

+36% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$92,457

$65,060

+30% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$56,530

$47,230

+16% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

39.7 yr

31.6 yr

+8.1 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

56.4%

52.7%

+3.7 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

40.5%

46.2%

+5.7 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

25.3 min

22.2 min

+3.1 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

164.9

268.6

+63% in Norman, OK

Property Crime

1,269

2,294.1

+81% in Norman, OK

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

49.2°F

61.5°F

+12.3°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

44.6 in

36.5 in

+8.1 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Nashua, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

27.0

14.3

+47% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.67

$31.25

+44% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Nashua, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Nashua, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Nashua, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Nashua, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NH / OK)

None

4.5%

+4.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in OK

Nashua vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Nashua or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Nashua than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $55,000 a year in Nashua versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Nashua or Norman?: Nashua is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).