Skyline of Manchester
Cost of Living: 108.5 115,644

Manchester, NH, US

No state income or sales tax, close to Boston, and four distinct New England seasons.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Manchester is a city in NH with a population of 115,644. No state income or sales tax, close to Boston, and four distinct New England seasons. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 4b growing zone supports Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 108.5

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 118.2

Above Average

Median Income $62,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.8%

Job market health

Manchester vs US Average

Cost of Living
Manchester: 108.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Manchester: 118.2
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $62,000
  • Unemployment: 2.8%
  • Population: 115,644

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 195/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 13°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: $340,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1450/mo

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Cost of Living

Manchester's cost of living index is 108.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryManchesterNational AverageDifference
Overall108.5100+8.5%
Housing118.2100+18.2%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$340,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1450/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,813/mo
Price per Sq Ft$226

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Manchester:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$195Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$164Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$70Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$504Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Manchester scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 108.5
Rent
— $1450
Sunny Days
— 195
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 2.8%
Climate
— 82°F / 13°F
Safety
— 1.7 homicides/100k
Population
— 115,644
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Manchester has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January33°F13°F2.5"
April67°F28°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F31°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Manchester faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

White Mountains with avalanches.

Hurricane Low Risk

Rarely affected by hurricanes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~2.18% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.8%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Manchester per 100,000 residents:

336.0
Violent Crime
1,648.1
Property Crime
1.7
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

78/100
School Quality Score
Better than 84% of US cities
?
28
Total Schools
5.2:1
Student:Teacher
88.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Manchester is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
4.6%
Black or African American
4.7%
Hispanic or Latino
13.4%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
4.0%
White
72.8%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.5%
High school graduate
29.1%
Less than high school
11.3%
Some college
26.1%

Religion

Christian
55.0%
Other
9.0%
Unaffiliated
36.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Manchester, NH, US?

The cost of living index in Manchester is 108.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Manchester?

The median home price in Manchester is $340,000. The housing index is 118.2.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manchester is approximately $1450/mo.

Does Manchester, NH have income tax?

Manchester is in NH, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Manchester?

Manchester enjoys approximately 195 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 13°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.