Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 91,131 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.7 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 72.9% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Nashua
$50,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $50,026 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 40.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Nashua
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 33.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.8% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Nashua
48.0 in
Nashua +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 48.0 in | Nashua + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 27.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, 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 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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