Cost of Living: Berkeley, CA vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Berkeley

California
251
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Berkeley is 137% more expensive than Manchester.

$2,127/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 31%
$108,558/yr ↑ 40%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 29%
$1,351,100 ↑ 302%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 75%
$2,340/mo ↑ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 34%
120,223
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

23.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Berkeley, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 251 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $662/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $7,944/year.

Median household income is $31,143/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Berkeley is $1,351,100 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Berkeley vs Manchester — common questions

Is Berkeley or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Berkeley and Manchester?
Median rent in Berkeley is $2,127/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $662/month.
Which city has higher income, Berkeley or Manchester?
Median household income is $108,558 in Berkeley and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $31,143/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between California and New Hampshire?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Berkeley or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with median rent of $2,127/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 Berkeley details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Berkeley and Manchester

Berkeley vs. Ann Arbor Berkeley vs. Fairfield Berkeley vs. Lafayette Berkeley vs. Hartford Berkeley vs. Rochester Berkeley vs. West Palm Beach Manchester vs. Westminster Manchester vs. Richmond Manchester vs. Antioch Manchester vs. High Point Manchester vs. Broken Arrow Manchester vs. League City