Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Durham
44.0%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 91,131 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 44.0% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 34.4% | 2.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 14.0% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.8% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 40.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $507,692 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
36.8%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 48.0 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.6 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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