Elgin 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)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
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
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 91,131 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.7 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 16.4% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.6% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 14.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $507,692 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 56.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Elgin, 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
Elgin
35.8%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 48.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Elgin, 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
Elgin
30.4 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. 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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