Nashua NH vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 75.1% | 50.4% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 11.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $1,006,261 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 47.6% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.9% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 61.6°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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