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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

San Francisco is 152% more expensive than Manchester.

$2,419/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 39%
$141,446/yr ↑ 83%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 45%
$1,380,500 ↑ 310%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 76%
$2,620/mo ↑ 69%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 41%
836,321
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $954/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $11,448/year.

Median household income is $64,031/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 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

San Francisco vs Manchester — common questions

Is San Francisco or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Manchester?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $954/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Manchester?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $64,031/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Francisco and Manchester

San Francisco vs. Indianapolis San Francisco vs. Seattle San Francisco vs. Charlotte San Francisco vs. Denver San Francisco vs. Columbus San Francisco vs. Oklahoma City Manchester vs. Westminster Manchester vs. Richmond Manchester vs. Antioch Manchester vs. High Point Manchester vs. Broken Arrow Manchester vs. League City