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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Long Beach is 59% more expensive than Manchester.

$1,803/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 19%
$83,969/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 8%
$762,200 ↑ 127%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 56%
$1,890/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 18%
458,491
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $338/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $4,056/year.

Median household income is $6,554/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 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

Long Beach vs Manchester — common questions

Is Long Beach or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Manchester?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $338/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Manchester?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $6,554/year higher in Long Beach.
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 Long Beach or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/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 Long Beach details → View Manchester details →

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