Nashua NH vs Tacoma WA — 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%

Tacoma, WA

Washington · Population: 220,482

  • Median HH Income$83,857
  • Median Home Price$496,966
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+33.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Nashua
91,131
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Tacoma
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Tacoma
33.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Tacoma
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Tacoma
11.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
Tacoma
31.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Nashua & Tacoma