Lowell MA 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)
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 91,131 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.7 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 16.4% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.6% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 7.6% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 14.0% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $75,331 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $507,692 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 33.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.8% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.7% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 48.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | 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
Lowell
30.1 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Lowell. 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, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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