| Index | Manchester | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 106 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 128 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 95 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Manchester allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Manchester stands at 106, marking it 6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Manchester closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Manchester can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Housing costs significantly influence the Manchester cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 27.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Is Manchester an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Manchester, the median home price is 35.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 10.8% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Manchester come in at $116,905, which is 43.7% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Manchester, the general sales tax rate starts at 4.225%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Manchester, the utilities index stands at 4.7% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Manchester are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| 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 | $142,155 | $11,846 | $3,317 | $4,265 |
| Renters | $65,024 | $5,419 | $1,517 | $1,951 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 10.85% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Missouri | 2% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Champ, MO | 3 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Defiance, MO | 70 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Peaceful Village, MO | 95 | 69 | 31.1% |
| East Carondelet, IL | 330 | 78 | 22.2% |
| Kinloch, MO | 344 | 79 | 20.8% |
| Manchester, MO | 18,771 | 106 | 5.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Midland, ON | 18,769 | n/a | |
| Burlington, KY | 18,755 | 96 | 3.6% |
| North Aurora, IL | 18,754 | 113 | 13.0% |
| Newburyport, MA | 18,788 | 161 | 61.0% |
| Bensenville, IL | 18,797 | 106 | 6.2% |
| Manchester, MO | 18,771 | 106 | 5.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Missouri
Check out the 10 safest cities in Missouri
Safest States In The US
Most Dangerous Cities In The US