Bellingham WA 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)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 91,131 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 39.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 79.5% | 75.1% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.6% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $75,331 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 40.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 33.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.8% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 48.0 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, 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 383 in Bellingham. 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, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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