Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Nashua, NH
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Nashua leads 12 of 23 categories
Nashua
New Hampshire
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$88,766
Violent Crime Index
42 ✓ Safer
Population
90,943
Washington
District of Columbia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Nashua, NH
Pros
Homes cost $360k less ($344,900 vs $705,000)
83% less violent crime than Washington
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.1%)
Rent averages $220/mo less ($1,597 vs $1,817)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $12,956/yr
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Washington, DC
Pros
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $12,956 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 35°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Nashua
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 106.1 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Nashua
Violent Crime
83% lower
160.5 vs 925.9 per 100k
Nashua
Median Home Value
$360k less
$344,900 vs $705,000
Nashua
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.1% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Median Income
$12,956
$101,722 vs $88,766/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 84.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $344,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,766 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.2% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 49 ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.4% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.2% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Nashua School District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.5°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.7°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.3" | 45.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.9" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 90,943 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.1 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 18.8% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 16.4% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nashua's cost of living index is 106.1 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Nashua is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Nashua leads 12 of 23 categories. Nashua wins 12 and Washington wins 11. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($344,900 vs $705,000 median home), income ($88,766 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Nashua, NH and Washington, DC are about 392 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.