Cost of Living: Manchester, NH vs High Point, NC (2026)

Manchester

New Hampshire
106
VS

High Point

North Carolina
73

Manchester is 33% more expensive than High Point.

$1,465/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$1,062/mo ↓ 28%
$77,415/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$61,228/yr ↓ 21%
$336,300 ↑ 58%
Home Value
$212,400 ↓ 37%
$1,548/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 30%
115,415
Population
115,263

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
0%
Sales Tax
4.75%
1.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Manchester, NH and High Point, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $403/month cheaper in High Point, saving renters about $4,836/year.

Median household income is $16,187/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Manchester is $336,300 compared to $212,400 in High Point.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Manchester vs High Point — common questions

Is Manchester or High Point cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, High Point is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Manchester and High Point?
Median rent in Manchester is $1,465/month and in High Point it's $1,062/month — a difference of $403/month.
Which city has higher income, Manchester or High Point?
Median household income is $77,415 in Manchester and $61,228 in High Point. Median household income is $16,187/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between New Hampshire and North Carolina?
New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Manchester or High Point?
It depends on your priorities. Manchester has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,465/mo, while High Point has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,062/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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