Nashua NH vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 5.3% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 71.0% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 1.8% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $55,902 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $33,290 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $61,860 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.9% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 15.6% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 29.1% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 449 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2174 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 39.7% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.1% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.8% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.4% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 54.5°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. 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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