Nashua NH vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 9.1% | Nashua + |
| White | 75.1% | 61.6% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 7.2% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 8.9% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $90,685 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $47,372 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $69,581 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 8.4% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 40.4% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 240 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1726 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 36.5% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.7% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.1% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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
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