Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 91,131 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 39.7 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 59.1% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 28.6% | 2.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 40.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $507,692 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.8% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Nashua
48.0 in
Nashua +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 48.0 in | Nashua + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 27.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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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