Nashua NH vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 47,823 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 11.6% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 62.2% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.8% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 1.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $50,294 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $28,418 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $53,141 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 24.2% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 19.6% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 834 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 3177 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.5% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 55.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. 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, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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