Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 91,131 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 14.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $75,331 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. 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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