Nashua NH vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Nashua +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 41.6 | Nashua + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 6.8% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 75.0% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 2.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $39,604 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $59,120 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.8% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 31.0% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 450 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2150 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.2% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.5% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | 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 +
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 32.8 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
Compare More Cities
Nashua, NH vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Nashua, NHChicago, IL vs Nashua, NHHouston, TX vs Nashua, NHNashua, NH vs Phoenix, AZNashua, NH vs Philadelphia, PA