Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Nashua, NH
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Nashua leads 16 of 23 categories
Nashua
New Hampshire
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$88,766 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
42 ✓ Safer
Population
90,943
Tacoma
Washington
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Nashua, NH
Pros
85% less violent crime than Tacoma
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.5 vs 380/100k)
Homes cost $70k less ($344,900 vs $415,300)
Households earn $9,681 more per year on average
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 40.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,597/mo
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 35°F
Rent averages $108/mo less ($1,489 vs $1,597)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Cons
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $415,300
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5603.6/100k) 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
Median Income
$9,681
$88,766 vs $79,085/yr
Nashua
Violent Crime
85% lower
160.5 vs 1063.0 per 100k
Nashua
Median Home Value
$70k less
$344,900 vs $415,300
Nashua
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 84.7°F vs 76.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Tacoma, 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 | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High | $1,489⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,766 ✓ Higher | $79,085 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.2% ✓ Higher | 12.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 49 ✓ Safer | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.4% ✓ Higher | 32.8% |
| High School or Higher | 92.2% ✓ Higher | 90.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Nashua School District | Tacoma School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.5°F | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.3" | 40.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.9" | 5.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 90,943 | 219,234 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.1 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.5% | 56.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.8% | 19.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.4% ✓ More | 14.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nashua's cost of living index is 106.1 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Nashua is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Nashua leads 16 of 23 categories. Nashua wins 16 and Tacoma wins 7. 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 Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($344,900 vs $415,300 median home), income ($88,766 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Nashua, NH and Tacoma, WA are about 2,465 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.