Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 115,415 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 14.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 28.8% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 13.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $77,415 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $44,220 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 33.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 49.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. 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, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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