Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 91,131 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.7 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 79.7% | 75.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 2.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $507,692 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 56.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 48.0 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.6 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA vs New York, NYCedar Rapids, IA vs Los Angeles, CACedar Rapids, IA vs Chicago, ILCedar Rapids, IA vs Houston, TXCedar Rapids, IA vs Phoenix, AZCedar Rapids, IA vs Philadelphia, PA