Manchester 75 Excellent
Manchester Livability #61 ranked city in Connecticut#3,693 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Manchester

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

What's it like Living in Manchester?

Manchester, Connecticut is a mid-sized city with a population of 37,216 people. Manchester has a population density of 5,759 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Manchester, only 44% of the population is married.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Manchester, Connecticut could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Manchester and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from health & safety, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Connecticut and national averages.

Manchester has a livability score of 74 out of 100 and is ranked #63 in Connecticut and #4,479 in the USA. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Manchester ranks well for crime (B), education (B-) and housing (A+). Manchester does not rank well for the following: amenities (D). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Manchester gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 133 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Manchester apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Manchester is real estate affordability. The median home price for Manchester homes is $302,158, which is 38.3% lower than the Connecticut average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Manchester, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 28.3% lower than the Connecticut average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Manchester

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Manchester?

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Compare Manchester, CT Livability

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      Manchester transportation information

      Statistic Manchester Connecticut National
      Average one way commute22min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.8%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.6%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%4.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.4%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home4.6%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Manchester, CT data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.