Allentown PA 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)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
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
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 91,131 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 16.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 13.0% | 2.6% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 14.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $507,692 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.0 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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