Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 115,415 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 28.4% | 5.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 13.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $44,220 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 33.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $441,257 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 35.0% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.2°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 44.6 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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