Charleston WV 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
47,918
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Nashua
39.7
Nashua +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 91,131 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 39.7 | Nashua + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 76.6% | 75.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 40.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $507,692 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 56.4% | Charleston + |
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, WV | 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
40.2%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.8% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 48.0 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. 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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