Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 115,415 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 59.2% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 21.6% | 5.3% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.6% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 33.5% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $441,257 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.0% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.7 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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