Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 91,131 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.7 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 16.4% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 21.1% | 2.6% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 14.0% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Nashua
$50,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $92,457 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $50,026 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 40.5% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Nashua
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 33.2% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 15.5% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.8% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.9% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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