Nashua NH vs Rapid City SD — 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%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 76,836 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 2.3% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.6% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 1.3% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 5.6% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $65,712 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $40,447 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $69,795 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 13.3% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 36.4% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 405 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1873 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 34.0% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.6% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.5% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Nashua, NH vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Nashua, NHChicago, IL vs Nashua, NHHouston, TX vs Nashua, NHNashua, NH vs Phoenix, AZNashua, NH vs Philadelphia, PA