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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Premium market, smart picks: while New Hampshire trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. Manchester at index 111 — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — is the standout — offering meaningful savings without …
#1 Ranked: Manchester — cost index 111, rent $1,976/mo, income $77,415
0 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $60K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Median Rent | Rent % of Gross | Cost Index | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester | $1,976 | 40% | 111 | Details |
Premium market, smart picks: while New Hampshire trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. Manchester at index 111 — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving New Hampshire.
Manchester earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. Take it or leave it — the data is what it is. The 111 cost index sits 1 points below the national baseline, and the $77,415 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $427,321 — $40,049 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Utilities leads the way at 102, while Housing trails at 128.
On a $60K salary, the key number is $1,500/month — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. Manchester ($1,976/mo, 40%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $47,157 to $47,157/year across these top picks.
The trade-off becomes clearer when you add healthcare into the mix. Across New Hampshire, the average cost of living index is 111 — 1 points below the national median. Known for no income tax in a traditionally expensive region, the state offers 1 tracked cities with median rents averaging $1,976/month. That's $81 more than the national average of $1,895. That's a difference you notice every single month.
What to do with this data: use the ranking as a shortlist, then dig into the city profiles for trend lines and category breakdowns. And generally speaking, the difference between #1 and #5 is often smaller than the difference between "good on paper" and "actually fits my life." Compare your top picks with our calculator to see real take-home numbers.
115,474 residents · New Hampshire
Why Manchester ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. That's more or less in line with the region. At 111 on the cost index, residents save roughly 1% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,976/month while the median household pulls in $77,415/year. The Utilities category is particularly strong at 102, though Housing (128) lags behind. Home prices average $427,321 — $40,049 below the national median.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Manchester | 0% | 0% | 1.57% | $47,157 |
Manchester ranks #1 in New Hampshire for this analysis with a cost index of 111 and median income of $77,415.
Yes. On a $60K salary in Manchester, rent would consume about 40% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. It's tight — consider a roommate or nearby suburb.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Manchester is $1,976/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $81 above the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 0% state income tax, estimated take-home on $60K in Manchester is approximately $47,157/year ($3,930/month). After median rent of $1,976/month, you'd have roughly $23,445/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Manchester is $427,321, which is 5.5× the local median income. Most median-income households would stretch to buy at this ratio. The national median home price is $467,370.
New Hampshire has a 0% state income tax rate — one of the states with no income tax. Combined state and local sales tax averages 0%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.57%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.