Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Arlington is 92% more expensive than Manchester.

$2,275/mo ↑ 55%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 36%
$140,160/yr ↑ 81%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 45%
$864,800 ↑ 157%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 61%
$2,414/mo ↑ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 36%
235,463
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $810/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $9,720/year.

Median household income is $62,745/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Manchester — common questions

Is Arlington or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Manchester?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $810/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Manchester?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $62,745/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and New Hampshire?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Manchester

Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane Manchester vs. Westminster Manchester vs. Richmond Manchester vs. Antioch Manchester vs. High Point Manchester vs. Broken Arrow Manchester vs. League City