Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 115,415 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 22.9% | 5.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 13.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 33.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $441,257 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX