Nashua NH vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Nashua +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 28,542 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 42.3 | Nashua + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 6.8% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 2.6% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 3.0% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 4.7% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 10.3% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 434 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1736 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 38.6% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.3% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.2% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.7% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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