Moving to or from Nashua?
New Hampshire's second-largest city, at the Massachusetts border on the Nashua River — the 'Gate City' to NH, twice named 'Best Place to Live in America' by Money magazine, with strong Boston commute access and no state income or sales tax.
- 90,000 City population
- 420,000 Metro area
- 1673 Founded
- Southern New Hampshire / Hillsborough County Region
Why people move to Nashua.
- Being named 'Best Place to Live in America' twice by Money magazine (1987, 1997)
- No state income tax and no sales tax — Nashua residents drive down to MA for work, then keep more of their money
- Daniel Webster College legacy and BAE Systems aerospace employment
- Nashua River and Mine Falls Park — 325 acres of urban wilderness near downtown
- Holman Stadium and the Nashua Silver Knights baseball
- A walkable, tree-lined Main Street downtown with restored brick buildings
Nashua has been named the 'Best Place to Live in America' by Money magazine twice — in 1987 and again in 1997 — making it the only city in US history to win the designation twice in a decade. The honors helped establish Nashua's reputation as a model mid-sized city combining low taxes, good schools, low crime, and commute access to Boston.
Where people live in Nashua.
A quick guide to Nashua's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Downtown / Main Street
Walkable historic core with restored buildings, restaurants, and tree-lined streets
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French Hill
Historic French-Canadian neighborhood with preserved character homes
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North End
Established family neighborhood with mid-century and newer housing
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Mine Falls
Residential area bordering Mine Falls Park with trail access
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Pheasant Lane
Upscale area near the mall with mix of housing types
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Hudson / Merrimack
Adjacent towns with more affordable housing and similar NH-tax advantages
Where people spend their time in Nashua.
- Mine Falls Park Central Nashua
- Holman Stadium Central Nashua
- Nashua Center for the Arts Downtown
- SkyVenture NH (indoor skydiving) Southwest Nashua
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour (nearby Merrimack) Merrimack
- Pheasant Lane Mall South Nashua
Planning a Nashua move.
- Nashua's 'no state income tax, no sales tax' status is a meaningful financial draw; Massachusetts commuters save significantly relative to MA residents
- Boston commute via US-3 or F.E. Everett Turnpike takes 45-75 minutes depending on destination and traffic
- Winter is severe; plan for weather-buffer days November-March
- Property taxes in Nashua are moderate by NH standards but higher than MA averages for comparable homes
Moving in Nashua: FAQ.
Does the NH tax advantage really matter?
Yes — meaningfully. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages and no state sales tax. For a Massachusetts commuter earning $150K, the income-tax savings alone can run $7,500+ annually compared to living in MA. Combined with no sales tax, total savings often justify the longer commute. Property taxes are higher in NH to compensate, so run the full math on a specific home.
How's the Boston commute from Nashua?
Doable. 45-75 minutes to downtown Boston via US-3 or F.E. Everett Turnpike depending on destination and time of day. Commuter bus service (Boston Express) runs from multiple Nashua stops to Boston's South Station with WiFi-equipped coaches. Many Nashua residents use the commute to keep earning MA-level salaries while living with NH's lower tax burden.
Is Nashua still the 'Best Place to Live in America'?
It no longer holds the title, but it remains a strong candidate. Nashua has held up well on most livability measures — low crime, good schools, solid economy. The competition among mid-sized US cities has intensified as newer communities (Carmel IN, Plano TX) have gotten their own attention. Nashua's balance of taxes, location, and community remains distinctive.
How does Nashua compare to Manchester NH?
Similar size; different character. Manchester is larger, more urban, has the state's major airport (MHT), and more central NH. Nashua is more suburban, closer to Boston, more oriented toward Massachusetts commerce. Taxes are similar (NH tax advantages apply statewide). Schools vary by specific district; both cities have mixed school-quality reviews. Nashua tends to appeal to Boston commuters; Manchester to those working in NH itself.
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