Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 91,131 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 39.7 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 16.4% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 10.5% | 2.6% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 7.6% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Nashua
$50,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $92,457 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $50,026 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $75,331 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 40.5% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 33.2% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 9.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 8.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.9% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 326 in Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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