Cost of Living: Cambridge, MA vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Cambridge

Massachusetts
239
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Cambridge is 125% more expensive than Manchester.

$2,742/mo ↑ 87%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 47%
$126,469/yr ↑ 63%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 39%
$1,040,500 ↑ 209%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 68%
$2,634/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 41%
117,794
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

9.0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.15%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

26.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cambridge, MA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 239 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,277/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $15,324/year.

Median household income is $49,054/year higher in Cambridge. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cambridge is $1,040,500 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cambridge vs Manchester — common questions

Is Cambridge or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 239 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cambridge and Manchester?
Median rent in Cambridge is $2,742/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $1,277/month.
Which city has higher income, Cambridge or Manchester?
Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $49,054/year higher in Cambridge.
How do taxes compare between Massachusetts and New Hampshire?
Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Cambridge or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Cambridge has a cost index of 239 with median rent of $2,742/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 Cambridge details → View Manchester details →

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