Chicago vs Nashua
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Chicago
Nashua
💡 The Verdict
Chicago is 12% cheaper than Nashua overall. A $75,000 salary in Chicago is equivalent to $85,514 in Nashua.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Chicago (left) vs Nashua (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Chicago versus Nashua. Differences shown from Chicago perspective.
| Item | Chicago | Nashua | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,230/mo | $1,190/mo | +$40.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,700/mo | $1,590/mo | +$110.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,220/mo | $2,080/mo | +$140.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.71 | $3.70 | $-0.99 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.17 | $5.00 | $-0.83 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.55 | $3.95 | $-0.40 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.11 | $6.70 | $-0.59 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.57 | $3.92 | $-0.35 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.53 | $21.50 | $-5.97 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Chicago has the same purchasing power as $85,514 in Nashua.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nashua equals $65,779 in Chicago.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3676 difference is driven by Illinois having a higher state income tax rate. Illinois details → · New Hampshire details →
Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs Nashua (122)
Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Nashua at 122 is 22% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Chicago, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 112, followed by groceries (104), utilities (100), transportation (116), and healthcare (101). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/mo in Chicago and $1,590/mo in Nashua, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,320.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $45,000.0 difference in median home prices between Chicago and Nashua translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Chicago vs Nashua
Choosing between Chicago and Nashua involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Chicago and Nashua can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.