Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 91,131 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.7 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 69.7% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.6% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 14.0% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.8% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $507,692 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 56.4% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Nashua
15.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 33.2% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 48.0 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.6 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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