Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 91,131 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.7 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 83.6% | 75.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.6% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 40.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $507,692 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 56.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Nashua
1048
| Metric | Boise, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1048 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Nashua
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 48.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA