Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Nashua, NH
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Nashua leads 15 of 23 categories
Nashua
New Hampshire
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$88,766
Violent Crime Index
42 ✓ Safer
Population
90,943
Renton
Washington
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89
Population
105,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Nashua, NH
Pros
Homes cost $232k less ($344,900 vs $576,800)
53% less violent crime than Renton
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.5 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $267/mo less ($1,597 vs $1,864)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.1% vs 4.2%)
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Median income trails Renton by $3,526/yr
Renton, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 35°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Households earn $3,526 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (3313.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Nashua
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 106.1 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Nashua
Violent Crime
53% lower
160.5 vs 339.2 per 100k
Nashua
Median Home Value
$232k less
$344,900 vs $576,800
Nashua
Summer Heat
7.5°F warmer
July avg high 84.7°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$3,526
$92,292 vs $88,766/yr
Renton
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $344,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,766 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.2% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 49 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.4% ✓ Higher | 36.9% |
| High School or Higher | 92.2% ✓ Higher | 89.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Nashua School District | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.5°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.3" | 44.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.9" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 90,943 | 105,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.1 ✓ Older | 36.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 53.6% |
| Under 18 | 18.8% | 20.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.4% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nashua's cost of living index is 106.1 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Nashua is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Nashua leads 15 of 23 categories. Nashua wins 15 and Renton wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Nashua to Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($344,900 vs $576,800 median home), income ($88,766 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Nashua, NH and Renton, WA are about 2,449 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.