Nashua NH vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 75.1% | 21.8% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.4% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 5.7% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $89,150 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $28,813 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 14.2% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $751,711 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 47.0% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 503 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2388 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.2% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 22.4% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 57.3°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 28.8 min | Nashua + |
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, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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