Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Manchester, NH (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

St. Paul is 14% cheaper than Manchester.

$1,248/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 17%
$73,055/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↑ 6%
$280,300 ↓ 17%
Home Value
$336,300 ↑ 20%
$1,390/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 11%
307,762
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
0%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.11%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $217/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $2,604/year.

Median household income is $4,360/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over Minnesota's 9.85% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Manchester — common questions

Is St. Paul or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Manchester?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $217/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Manchester?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $4,360/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and New Hampshire?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/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 St. Paul details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

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