Nashua NH vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 75.1% | 31.9% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.1% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.8% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $720,443 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 41.2% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.7% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.4% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.8% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.3% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 59.2°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, 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
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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