Cost of Living: Montgomery, AL vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Montgomery

Alabama
64
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Montgomery is 40% cheaper than Manchester.

$1,059/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 38%
$55,687/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↑ 39%
$148,500 ↓ 56%
Home Value
$336,300 ↑ 126%
$1,023/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 51%
198,440
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

5.0%
Income Tax
0%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.41%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

22.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Montgomery, AL and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 64 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $406/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $4,872/year.

Median household income is $21,728/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Montgomery is $148,500 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery vs Manchester — common questions

Is Montgomery or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Montgomery and Manchester?
Median rent in Montgomery is $1,059/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $406/month.
Which city has higher income, Montgomery or Manchester?
Median household income is $55,687 in Montgomery and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $21,728/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between Alabama and New Hampshire?
Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Montgomery or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with median rent of $1,059/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 Montgomery details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

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