Albany NY vs Nashua NH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Albany
53.0%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 91,131 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 53.0% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 26.6% | 2.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 7.6% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $75,331 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 40.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $507,692 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.8% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 48.0 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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