Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 91,131 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 45.4% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 7.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $75,331 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $507,692 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 48.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. 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, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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