Nashua NH vs Paterson NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Paterson
N/A
White
Nashua
75.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 75.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $527,542 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Paterson
218
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Paterson
1426
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 218 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1426 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 37.5% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.1% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.6% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 28.6% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Paterson. 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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