What Is The Cost Of Living In Manchester, NH?

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by Upgraded Home Team

Manchester, located in southern New Hampshire, is in the heart of New England. It’s the biggest city in New Hampshire. It has easy access to major cities like New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. New Hampshire consistently rates as one of the country’s healthiest states, with access to thousands of miles of mountains and open spaces with trails, lakes, and rivers.

Manchester has four distinct seasons, with long, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. This makes it convenient to enjoy all types of outdoor activities in Manchester. Manchester has a ton of history and historical landmarks to explore. It also has an array of restaurants, art, and entertainment venues.

The median home cost in Manchester, New Hampshire, is $240,700. However, this does not cover other living costs, such as child care, utilities, groceries, and taxes. With a cost-of-living index of 104.1, it is cheaper than the US average of 100.0 and New Hampshire’s overall 118.6 index rating.

New Hampshire’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, while the livable wage is $14.47 an hour. Many people will have a range of pay bases to help them afford living in Manchester. Manchester’s cost is considerably less than living in San Francisco or New York City, but costs add up. Here’s a breakdown of precisely what you might spend to live monthly in Manchester, New Hampshire.

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Cost to Own a Home in Manchester, NH

Owning a home in Manchester is comparatively less than in other areas of the country. Most homes in New Hampshire cost around $330,976, while living in Manchester costs approximately $240,700. The average price of a home in the US is $284,600, so Manchester is about 18% lower than the national average.

There are some expensive homes in Manchester where the price goes up to $1.6 million. But this is for luxurious, larger homes in private communities or sometimes historical homes in prime downtown locations that have been fully renovated. There are affordable homes in Manchester and something to fit your budget. If you don’t think you can afford it, try renting!

Cost to Rent in Manchester, NH

When you move to Manchester, you will notice there are a few homes to rent. In fact, 3.1% of houses and apartments in Manchester are available to rent. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

Style of HomePrice Per Month
Studio$848
1 Bedroom$956
2 Bedroom$1226
3 Bedroom$1548
4 Bedroom$1662

Compared to many states, this is affordable and can be a great deal, especially so close to a dynamic and livable city like Manchester.

Property Taxes for Manchester NH

The current median property tax in Manchester, NH, is $5,768 per year. New Hampshire’s average property tax rate is 2.05% higher than the national average of 1.07%.

Cost of Utilities in Manchester

In every single state you move to, you will have to pay utilities. If you are renting a home or apartment, sometimes utility fees are rolled into monthly rental payments. Still, you will have to check your rental contract to be sure. For a small apartment of 915 sq ft, you can expect to pay $118.50 a month for the basic utilities. What do utilities include?

  • Electricity
  • Cooling
  • Heating
  • Water
  • Garbage

There may be certain places that do not include garbage, and you will have to find your way to dispose of your trash. Some places will cover this cost, but you must provide your garbage cans that still need to meet community requirements.

The Cost of Child Care

Caring for children can be expensive. For working parents, child care is a necessity. Child care is a part of daily life that many people don’t talk about or think about because it just has to be done. But it can be a considerable expense.

In Manchester, the average cost of full-time daycare per week is $393.25. Prices will vary depending on the age of the child. You can expect to pay approximately $1,573 per month per child for care in Manchester. If you are looking at a private daycare that may also teach your children or prep them for school, you will end up paying much more. It all depends on what you want and what you are looking for.

Food Cost in Manchester

Something we sometimes overlook when moving to a new area is the cost of food. Grocery shopping is something most of us do weekly and sometimes monthly. The bigger your family is, the most you will pay for food.

Here is a list of some grocery items and prices in Manchester; this can be a good starting place to figure out what you eat and how much you’ll spend a week or a month.

Food ItemCost
1 Gallon of Milk$3.51
1 Loaf of White Bread$2.82
1 Carton of Eggs$2.52
Local Cheese$6.84
1 Pound of Chicken$5.24
1 Pound of Onion$1.79
1 Head of Lettuce$2.19

How Much Will Entertainment Cost?

After moving, you will want to start going to do fun activities that Manchester offers, and most of them will cost money. What is there to do, and how much does it cost? The truth is there are many different things to do, a wide variety of things to do. You will need to set yourself a budget and stick with it. Here is a list of activities that can help you determine that budget.

Activity Price Range
Restaurants (2 people/mid-range)$65.00
Fitness Club (one adult, monthly fee)$24.83
Movies (1 adult ticket)$10.00

Depending on where and when you go, activities fees will vary. There can always be extra expenses with activities, depending on the time of day, day of the week, number of people attending, etc.

Education in Manchester

Educating kids is expensive, even more so if you’re interested in sending them to private school. There are so many costs that add up every year we want to make sure you are as prepared as possible.

On average many of the teachers have 12 kids per class and spend about $16,360 per student. However, that does not mean you have to pay that amount; it means that’s what it costs the school. Here are some other things to keep in mind when looking at education costs in Manchester.

Private School

Manchester has some of the top private schools in New England. The average private school tuition in New Hampshire is $8,511 for elementary school and $28,231 per high school per year. Prices of private schools in Manchester may be slightly higher or lower.

University and Technical Colleges

Southern New Hampshire University, University of New Hampshire, and Saint Anselm College are top-rated universities and colleges near Manchester. They would be excellent options for many locals. Manchester Community College is another option if you’re thinking of attending a community college. This may be a budget-friendly option compared to other states.

If you become a New Hampshire resident who attends the University of New Hampshire, you will spend around $32,638 for tuition alone. However, this does not cover the costs of room and board or any textbook fees.


Related Questions

How much do you need to live comfortably in Manchester?

On average, to live comfortably in Manchester, you will need to make at least $29,533 a year. This means you would need to make $2,461 a month to live on your own in Manchester. The bigger your family is, the more you will need to make.


Is Manchester a good place to live?

Manchester is a friendly and welcoming place to live with lots of things to see and do. Its rich history, diverse arts and culture scene, vibrant restaurant options, and nightlife options and entertainment appeal to all types of people.  Also, with lots of outdoor venues and nearby mountains, Manchester residents have access to many sports and leisure activities like hiking, skiing, beaches, or spending a day on the water on Lake Massabesic. It’s ideal for both young professionals and growing families.


What are the main industries in Manchester?

Manchester is the business and financial center of Northern New England. Its key industries are semiconductors, electronics, apparel and textiles and aerospace. Forestry and construction are also vital to the area.

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Is Manchester, NH Right for You?

Manchester, New Hampshire, is a very desirable place to live. It appeals to people who enjoy all the seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall.

It may be cheaper than other areas of New Hampshire to live, compared to major cities like Concord or nearby Boston, Massachusetts. However, depending on the size of the house you choose and the size of your family, it may also be expensive, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when choosing where to live.

Manchester is a growing, thriving area with lots to see and do. Machester is an enjoyable area to visit with nightlife and activities if you are a single person. It’s also a great place to raise a family.

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