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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Raleigh is 4% more expensive than Manchester.

$1,468/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ≈ Same
$82,424/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 6%
$377,800 ↑ 12%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 11%
$1,487/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 4%
470,763
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $5,009/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Manchester — common questions

Is Raleigh or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Manchester?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $3/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Manchester?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $5,009/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and New Hampshire?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Manchester details →

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