Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 91,131 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 39.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 53.3% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $507,692 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 48.0 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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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