Cost of Living in Manchester, MD

Population 5,446 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

110
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Manchester is a smaller Maryland community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $112,679 and housing costs ($352,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.8% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 30 miles northwest of Baltimore, Manchester falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 60% higher than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 115
Rent 101

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Manchester

The median home value in Manchester is $351,500 — 15% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,329/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $112,679/year is 51% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Maryland's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Manchester has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$351,500
15% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$455,497
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,329/mo
1% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,407
1 BR
$1,604
2 BR
$1,898
3 BR
$2,407
4 BR
$2,822
Owner-occupied 81.8%
Renter-occupied 18.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,329
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,943/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
36.1 min
34% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.4%
Carpooled
11.7%
Work from home
15.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$112,679
51% above avg
Per Capita Income
$47,905
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor Force Participation
66.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.4%
Graduate degree 12.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.9
Male median age 36.6
Female median age 47.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
75%
Good air days/yr
143
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Manchester, MD?

Manchester has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Manchester, MD?

The median gross rent in Manchester is $1,329 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Manchester?

The median home value in Manchester is $351,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Manchester?

The median household income in Manchester is $112,679 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Manchester, MD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Manchester is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Manchester, MD affordable?

Manchester is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

Manchester at a Glance

Population
5,446
Median Income
$112,679
Home Value
$351,500
Median Rent
$1,329/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Maryland →
🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

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