Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 91,131 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 34.1% | 2.6% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 14.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 40.5% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $507,692 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.2% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 48.0 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.6 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA