Atlanta GA vs Manchester NH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 115,415 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.9 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 39.9% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 46.9% | 5.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $77,415 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $44,220 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 33.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $441,257 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 35.0% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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