Rows tagged local are specific to Manchester (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Manchester, NH. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Manchester School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
105.6
metro-area
#173 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.7
metro-area
#154 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.01
metro-area
#173 of 200 metros
Median household income
$74,040
local
#2040 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$43,414
local
#1820 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
41.0 years
metro-area
#165 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
40.6%
metro-area
#38 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
10.4%
metro-area
#70 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
67.5%
metro-area
#83 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.16%
local
#1193 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+4.0%
local
#1450 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$304,700
local
#1424 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.1×
local
#1797 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.2%
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$169
local
#1455 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,800 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,362
local
#1369 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
706
Median days on market
6
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.6%
state
#68 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
0.00%
state
#1 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate
1.86%
local
#2679 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$5,674
local
#2369 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.6 years
metro-area
#48 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,800
state
#182 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
6.6%
metro-area
#52 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
84
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#141 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#107 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.80% of value (~$504/yr)
state
#173 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
24 min
local
#977 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
72.9%
metro-area
#72 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
37.8%
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
27.2¢/kWh
state
#162 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$245
state
#162 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.25/gal
state
#83 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$90
state
#184 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$85
state
#55 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$66
state
#5 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,000
state
#4 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#3 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
89.8 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#103 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
37
metro-area
#16 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
400
metro-area
#12 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
78%
state
#167 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
7,200
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
11
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
81°F
metro-area
#9 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
10°F
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
49.2"
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
5b
Frost window
05-10 → 10-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
120
state
#2 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,100
state
#3 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.