| Index | Manchester | Connecticut | National |
| Cost of living | 105 | 118 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 139 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 107 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 106 | 110 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 117 | 116 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Manchester? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Manchester stands at 105, making it 5% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Manchester aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Manchester residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Wondering if Manchester is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Manchester, for example, the median home price is 7.5% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 18.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Manchester boasting a median household income of $92,952, which is 14.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Manchester, the transportation index is 8.8% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Manchester, the utilities index registers at 5.5% higher than the national average.
The Manchester cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $124,014 | $10,335 | $2,893 | $3,721 |
| Renters | $56,387 | $4,699 | $1,316 | $1,692 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Connecticut | 3% | 6.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Blue Hills, CT | 2,652 | 104 | 3.6% |
| Rockville, CT | 7,323 | 103 | 3.1% |
| New Britain, CT | 74,963 | 104 | 4.4% |
| Stafford Springs, CT | 4,911 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Hartford, CT | 125,397 | 106 | 5.6% |
| Manchester, CT | 37,216 | 105 | 5.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Leavenworth, KS | 37,243 | 92 | 7.8% |
| Moorpark, CA | 37,262 | 176 | 76.0% |
| Lincoln Park, MI | 37,282 | 86 | 14.0% |
| Richfield, MN | 37,149 | 107 | 7.4% |
| Oak Creek, WI | 37,124 | 106 | 6.1% |
| Manchester, CT | 37,216 | 105 | 5.5% |
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