Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 91,131 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 39.7 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 36.1% | 2.6% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 14.0% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $75,331 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $507,692 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 48.0 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.6 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in Hartford. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA