| Index | Manchester | Tennessee | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 77 | 80 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 97 | 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 92, making it 8% lower 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.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Manchester are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Manchester can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Is Manchester affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Manchester, for instance, where the median home price falls 23.8% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 22.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Manchester flaunting a median household income of $72,556, 10.8% lower than the national norm.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Manchester, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7%, and income tax rates kick off at 0%.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Manchester, the groceries index is 2.3% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Manchester, the transportation index stands at 1.4% lower than the national average.
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 | $98,105 | $8,175 | $2,289 | $2,943 |
| Renters | $51,888 | $4,324 | $1,211 | $1,557 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Tennessee | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pelham, TN | 341 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Viola, TN | 147 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Lakewood Park, TN | 957 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Morrison, TN | 703 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Wartrace, TN | 675 | 88 | 11.5% |
| Manchester, TN | 11,241 | 92 | 8.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Placerville, CA | 11,240 | 134 | 33.6% |
| Doctor Phillips, FL | 11,242 | 135 | 35.2% |
| Campton Hills, IL | 11,243 | 143 | 42.9% |
| Castle Pines, CO | 11,238 | 166 | 65.5% |
| Moncton, NB | 11,235 | n/a | |
| Manchester, TN | 11,241 | 92 | 8.4% |
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