Nashua NH vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 12.3% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 55.5% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 3.7% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $53,328 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $30,409 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $68,110 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.6% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 21.9% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 23.2% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 53.8% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 344 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1842 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 44.7% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.0% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 18.1% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 49.2°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. 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, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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