A-
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
18%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Manchester Virginia National
Cost of living106109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9699100
Housing118130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities105104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Manchester, VA

Understanding the cost of living in Manchester can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Manchester cost of living index is 106, which is 6% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

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, goods and services, 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.

Is Manchester Affordable?

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 13.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 29% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Manchester boasting a median household income of $63,947, which is 15.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Manchester?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Manchester, the groceries index is 0.5% higher than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Manchester, the transportation index is 0.3% lower 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 4.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Manchester cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Manchester is 3% lower than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Manchester is 6% higher than the national average
  • Manchester housing is 18% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Manchester

See all the best places to live around Manchester

Compare Manchester, VA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$82,975$6,915$1,936$2,489
      Renters$50,097$4,175$1,169$1,503
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Manchester, VA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Manchester, the median monthly income is $82,975 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,936 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $50,097, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,169 on monthly rental expenses.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.00$24.2617.6%
      Beauty Salon $54.17$45.5618.9%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.26$1.281.3%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $24.17$18.0034.3%

      Groceries

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.54$5.845.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.8%
      Pizza $12.72$12.095.3%
      Beer $10.64$10.412.2%

      Health Care

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $95.44$125.6824.1%
      Doctor $122.83$135.789.5%
      Dentist $109.67$113.293.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.76$10.651.0%
      Lipitor $489.65$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Home Price $210,300.00$184,700.0013.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.79$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,224.00$949.0029.0%

      Transportation

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.5%
      Tire Balancing $60.00$59.920.1%

      Utilities

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.22$193.9917.1%
      Phone $185.33$192.253.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Montrose, VA7,639946.2%
      Bensley, VA6,044964.0%
      Bellwood, VA7,808973.1%
      Sandston, VA6,833972.7%
      Highland Springs, VA15,000982.0%
      Manchester, VA11,8141066.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Dunkirk, NY11,8128119.0%
      South Lyon, MI11,8181044.2%
      Bucyrus, OH11,8088613.6%
      Martinsville, IN11,8078911.1%
      Robinson, TX11,806990.7%
      Manchester, VA11,8141066.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.