Cost of Living in Manchester, NH

Population 115,415 · New Hampshire · Data vintage 2023

111

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Manchester's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $77,415 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail.

Cost Overview

Housing 110

Rent 111

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

About the Cost of Living in Manchester

The median home value in Manchester is $336,300 — 10% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,465/month, 11% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,415/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. New Hampshire charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 59.8°F and lows of 40.4°F. Overall, Manchester has a cost of living index of 111 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$336,300

10% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$427,321

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,465/mo

11% above avg

Zillow Rent

$1,975/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

19.1x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

2.1%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$1,104

1 BR

$1,180

2 BR

$1,548

3 BR

$2,019

4 BR

$2,140

Owner-occupied 49.3%

Renter-occupied 50.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,465

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,079/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

25.8 min

4% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

12.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

74.2%

Carpooled

9.1%

Public transit

0.5%

Walked

2.4%

Bicycle

0.3%

Work from home

12.1%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None

Total Sales Tax 0.0%

State rate 0.0%

Avg local rate 0.0%

Property Tax 2.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$77,415

4% above avg

Per Capita Income

$44,220

Unemployment Rate

3.8%

20% below avg

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Labor Force Participation

71.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%

Graduate degree 10.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9

Male median age 37.4

Female median age 38.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

59.8°F

Avg Low

40.4°F

Annual Precip

40.4"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	34	37	46	59	70	79	84	82	75	62	50	39
Low °F	17	19	27	38	48	58	64	62	54	42	33	24
Precip"	2.44	2.73	3.45	3.33	3.38	4.04	3.30	3.35	3.72	3.88	3.48	3.29

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good

83.6%

Good air days/yr

119

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

293

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

70.7%

4-Year Graduation Rate

12.7:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

14,155

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Manchester, NH?

Manchester has a cost index of 111 (100 = national average). It is 11% above the national average.

What is average rent in Manchester, NH?

The median gross rent in Manchester is $1,465 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Manchester?

The median home value in Manchester is $336,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Manchester?

The median household income in Manchester is $77,415 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Manchester, NH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Manchester is 0.0%. New Hampshire has no state income tax.

Is Manchester, NH affordable?

Manchester is above average in cost of living, with an index of 111 — about 11% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Manchester?

Manchester has average high temperatures of 59.8°F and average lows of 40.4°F. Annual precipitation is 40.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Manchester at a Glance

Population: 115,415
Median Income: $77,415
Home Value: $336,300
Median Rent: $1,465/mo
Unemployment: 3.8%
Avg High Temp: 59.8°F
Sales Tax: 0.0%

View all cities in New Hampshire →

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