Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 91,131 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 39.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 66.9% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 12.0% | 2.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $507,692 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 56.4% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 48.0 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA