Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Madison
73.0%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 91,131 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 73.0% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 7.1% | 2.6% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 7.6% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.8% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 40.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $507,692 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 33.2% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.8% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.9% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 47.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 48.0 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.6 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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