Manchester NH vs Milwaukee WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 10.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 36.5% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $51,888 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $29,679 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $61,837 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 23.3% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 26.6% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 41.5% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Milwaukee
1392
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 309 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1392 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 41.8% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.7% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.1% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.3% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. 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%.
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