salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 14.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $35,480 a year. That is $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Iowa. It is number 18 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Manchester?
Share of households by yearly income. 9.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Manchester
| Size | Manchester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $938 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $782 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $894 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,272 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Manchester overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Manchester, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Manchester
Life in Manchester
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Manchester?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $80 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $139,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,940 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Manchester, IA?
Renting in Manchester costs a median of about $887 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Manchester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $35,480 a year, or $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Manchester cheap or expensive?
Manchester is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.1% of the typical household income of $65,994. It ranks 18th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Manchester?
The median homeowner in Manchester pays $2,021 a year in property taxes, about 1.45% of the median home value.
Is Manchester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Manchester?
The median home value in Manchester is $139,400, about 2.1 times the typical yearly household income.
5,191 people live in Manchester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.