Nashua NH vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 14.5% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 63.5% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.2% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 5.8% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $41,869 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.3% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 32.2% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 512 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 3234 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.0% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 15.2% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.4% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | 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 +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 32.8 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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