Cost of Living in Manchester, VT

Population 4,483 · Vermont · Data vintage 2023

102
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Manchester sits on the smaller end of the Vermont city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 2.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 50 miles northeast of Albany, Manchester is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 82% higher than Albany's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 133
Rent 55

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

About the Cost of Living in Manchester

The median home value in Manchester is $405,600 — 33% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $725/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $98,438/year is 32% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Vermont's top state income tax rate is 8.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.2%. The climate averages highs of 57.6°F and lows of 35.8°F. Overall, Manchester has a cost of living index of 102 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$405,600
33% above avg
Median Rent
$725/mo
45% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
46.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$936
1 BR
$1,069
2 BR
$1,225
3 BR
$1,709
4 BR
$1,986
Owner-occupied 80.5%
Renter-occupied 19.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$725
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,339/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
15.5 min
43% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.9%
Carpooled
10.9%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
17.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 8.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.2%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.2%
Property Tax 1.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$98,438
32% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,040
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
43% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor Force Participation
50.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.4%
Graduate degree 24.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 52.9
Male median age 47.6
Female median age 56.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.6°F
Avg Low
35.8°F
Annual Precip
38.6"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323544576976817972604938
Low °F 131423344452575548382921
Precip" 2.371.942.652.493.474.054.653.863.823.612.772.90

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
80.8%
Good air days/yr
157
Max AQI recorded
144
PM2.5 days
215
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Manchester, VT?

Manchester has a cost index of 102 (100 = national average). It is 2% above the national average.

What is average rent in Manchester, VT?

The median gross rent in Manchester is $725 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Manchester?

The median home value in Manchester is $405,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Manchester?

The median household income in Manchester is $98,438 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Manchester, VT?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Manchester is 6.2%. The Vermont state income tax top rate is 8.8%.

Is Manchester, VT affordable?

Manchester is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 102 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Manchester?

Manchester has average high temperatures of 57.6°F and average lows of 35.8°F. Annual precipitation is 38.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Manchester at a Glance

Population
4,483
Median Income
$98,438
Home Value
$405,600
Median Rent
$725/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Avg High Temp
57.6°F
Sales Tax
6.2%
View all cities in Vermont →
🗺️ County data for Vermont

Explore county-level cost of living data

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