Nashua NH vs Phoenix AZ — 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%

Phoenix, AZ

Arizona · Population: 1,624,832

  • Median HH Income$77,041
  • Median Home Price$411,323
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+32.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Nashua
91,131
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Phoenix
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Phoenix
32.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Phoenix
2150

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Phoenix
12.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
Phoenix
27.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. 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, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Nashua & Phoenix