Manchester, New Hampshire, known as "The Queen City," is the largest city in the state and a vibrant hub of culture and commerce. With its rich industrial heritage, dynamic arts scene, and strong economy, Manchester offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in Manchester an attractive option.
Residents of Manchester enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, museums, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for exploration and enrichment. The Currier Museum of Art and the Palace Theatre are cultural highlights that offer residents access to visual and performing arts. The annual Manchester City Marathon and the New Hampshire Film Festival are events that celebrate the city's vibrant community spirit.
Manchester's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, education, and technology. The city is home to major employers such as Elliot Health System and Southern New Hampshire University, providing ample job opportunities for residents. The presence of these institutions contributes to Manchester's vibrant economic and cultural environment.
The cost of living in Manchester is relatively affordable compared to other parts of New England, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Manchester is provided by the Manchester Transit Authority (MTA), facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Manchester's climate features four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Manchester offers a blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
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
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.
Nothing Found
This area did not exhibit any cons, as none of the categories were rated low enough.
Manchester is a medium-sized city located in the state of New Hampshire. The city has a population of 114,918 residents. Manchester has a population density of 3,475 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. At 82%, the majority of the Manchester population is White; this is followed by 6% Black and 5% Asian. In Manchester, only 45% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Manchester, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 24 minutes.
Living in Manchester can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of New Hampshire, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Manchester, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, education, employment and more.
Manchester, NH receives 80/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #12 in New Hampshire and #1,585 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Manchester ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Manchester has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Manchester has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (A+) and housing (A+). The bad news for Manchester, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (D) and cost of living (D).
If you're considering living in Manchester, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Manchester provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Currier Museum of Art, Frank Lloyd Wright Zimmerman House, and SEE Science Center.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Manchester can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Manchester is actually affordable. The median home price for Manchester homes is $430,967, which is 0.4% higher than the New Hampshire 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 4.6, which is 12.2% higher than the New Hampshire average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Manchester | New Hampshire | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.2% | 81.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.5% | 7.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 0.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.3% | 2.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.0% | 6.1% | 4.6% |
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