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

Chesapeake

Virginia
112
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Chesapeake is 6% more expensive than Manchester.

$1,523/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 4%
$94,189/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 18%
$359,100 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 6%
$1,680/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 8%
251,153
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

19.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chesapeake, VA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 112 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $58/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $696/year.

Median household income is $16,774/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chesapeake is $359,100 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

Chesapeake vs Manchester — common questions

Is Chesapeake or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chesapeake and Manchester?
Median rent in Chesapeake is $1,523/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $58/month.
Which city has higher income, Chesapeake or Manchester?
Median household income is $94,189 in Chesapeake and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $16,774/year higher in Chesapeake.
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 Chesapeake or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with median rent of $1,523/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 Chesapeake details → View Manchester details →

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