Nashua NH vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 75.1% | 30.4% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.5% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $2,144,024 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 43.8% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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