Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
14.8%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 115,415 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 76.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $77,415 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $44,220 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $441,257 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 44.6 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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