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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Irvine is 142% more expensive than Manchester.

$2,893/mo ↑ 97%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 49%
$129,647/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 40%
$1,115,400 ↑ 232%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 70%
$2,904/mo ↑ 88%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 47%
308,160
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,428/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $17,136/year.

Median household income is $52,232/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 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

Irvine vs Manchester — common questions

Is Irvine or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Manchester?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $1,428/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Manchester?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $52,232/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Manchester details →

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