Nashua NH vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 75.1% | 58.0% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 6.9% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $67,544 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $35,825 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.4% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 19.8% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 34.1% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 42.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Worcester
1086
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 326 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1086 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 35.3% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.9% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.5% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Nashua +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 47.9°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 48.1 in | Nashua + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. 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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