Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 91,131 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 39.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 59.2% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 40.5% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $507,692 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 33.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 48.0 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.6 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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