Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 91,131 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 16.4% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.6% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 7.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Nashua
$50,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $92,457 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $50,026 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $75,331 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 40.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.8% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.9% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 48.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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