Fayetteville 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 91,131 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 39.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 38.3% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 42.3% | 2.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $507,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
40.4%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.0 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. 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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