salaryManchester is the largest city in New Hampshire that we track, with 115,643 residents. Rent is higher than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $82,200 a year. That is $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Hampshire cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Hampshire. It is number 19 of 26 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Manchester?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Manchester
| Size | Manchester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,021 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,398 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,852 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,923 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,110 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Manchester overall?
Everyday prices in the Manchester-Nashua metro area are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Manchester
Life in Manchester
What jobs pay in Manchester
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $162,090 | 15.2% |
| Pharmacist | $143,000 | 17.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $139,210 | 17.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,660 | 18.7% |
| Lawyer | $125,190 | 19.7% |
| Operations Manager | $124,990 | 19.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $109,430 | 22.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,330 | 24.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,710 | 25.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $98,600 | 25.0% |
| Accountant | $83,660 | 29.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,090 | 32.4% |
| Police Officer | $73,960 | 33.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $73,380 | 33.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,090 | 33.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $70,570 | 34.9% |
| Plumber | $67,690 | 36.4% |
| Electrician | $64,080 | 38.5% |
| Carpenter | $61,300 | 40.2% |
| Truck Driver | $58,900 | 41.9% |
| Firefighter | $58,560 | 42.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,630 | 49.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,840 | 51.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,400 | 53.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,080 | 61.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,960 | 63.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,430 | 64.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,350 | 69.8% |
| Cashier | $31,700 | 77.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Manchester?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $482 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $365,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,560 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Manchester, NH?
Renting in Manchester costs a median of about $2,055 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Hampshire median is $1,916.
How much do I need to make to live in Manchester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $82,200 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Manchester cheap or expensive?
Manchester is rated OK: rent takes 28.2% of the typical household income of $87,366. It ranks 19th cheapest of 26 New Hampshire cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Manchester?
The median homeowner in Manchester pays $5,922 a year in property taxes, about 1.62% of the median home value.
Is Manchester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% above 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 $365,600, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
115,643 people live in Manchester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.