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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Palmdale is 23% more expensive than Manchester.

$1,736/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 16%
$81,151/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 5%
$435,300 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 23%
$1,831/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 15%
165,487
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $271/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $3,252/year.

Median household income is $3,736/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 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

Palmdale vs Manchester — common questions

Is Palmdale or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Manchester?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $271/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Manchester?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $3,736/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palmdale and Manchester

Palmdale vs. Springfield Palmdale vs. Salinas Palmdale vs. Fort Collins Palmdale vs. Hayward Palmdale vs. Lancaster Palmdale vs. Corona Manchester vs. Westminster Manchester vs. Richmond Manchester vs. Antioch Manchester vs. High Point Manchester vs. Broken Arrow Manchester vs. League City