Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 91,131 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 14.0% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $507,692 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.2% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 48.0 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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