Cost of Living: Madison, WI vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Madison

Wisconsin
103
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Madison is 3% cheaper than Manchester.

$1,364/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 7%
$76,983/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$77,415/yr ≈ Same
$346,900 ↑ 3%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 3%
$1,476/mo ↓ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 5%
275,568
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

7.65%
Income Tax
0%
5.0%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.61%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Madison, WI and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 103 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $101/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $1,212/year.

Median household income is $432/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Madison is $346,900 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison vs Manchester — common questions

Is Madison or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Madison and Manchester?
Median rent in Madison is $1,364/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $101/month.
Which city has higher income, Madison or Manchester?
Median household income is $76,983 in Madison and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $432/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between Wisconsin and New Hampshire?
Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Madison or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Madison has a cost index of 103 with median rent of $1,364/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.
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