Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 91,131 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 74.3% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 12.1% | 2.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.8% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 40.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $507,692 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.2% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.8% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.0 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | 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
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 27.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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