Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 91,131 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 39.7 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 76.7% | 75.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.6% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Nashua
$75,331
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $75,331 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $507,692 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Nashua
134
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Nashua
1048
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 134 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1048 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Nashua
9.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 48.0 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 27.6 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 134 in Manchester. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, 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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