Nashua NH vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Portland
11.1%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 68,505 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 11.1% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 2.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 3.2% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 3.1% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $76,174 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $61,587 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 11.3% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $561,069 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 46.7% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Portland
1234
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1234 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.8% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.3% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.1% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | 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
Nashua
27.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 134 in Nashua. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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