Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 91,131 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 39.7 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 16.4% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 4.7% | 2.6% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 14.0% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $75,331 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $507,692 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 56.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 48.0 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. 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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