Nashua NH vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 8.9% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 54.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 1.7% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $52,512 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $29,511 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $58,697 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 22.6% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 29.4% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 370 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1719 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 39.7% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.2% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.3% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.6% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 18.2% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 49.8°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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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