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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Sacramento is 25% more expensive than Manchester.

$1,694/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 14%
$83,753/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 8%
$484,600 ↑ 44%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 31%
$1,752/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 12%
524,802
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $229/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $2,748/year.

Median household income is $6,338/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 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

Sacramento vs Manchester — common questions

Is Sacramento or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Manchester?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $229/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Manchester?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $6,338/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Manchester details →

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