Manchester NH vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 5.5% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 27.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.3% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 4.8% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $55,687 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $32,068 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $51,690 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.5% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 20.9% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 400 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1734 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 46.4% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.7% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.6% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.0% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 64.5°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 52.8 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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
Manchester, NH vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Manchester, NHChicago, IL vs Manchester, NHHouston, TX vs Manchester, NHManchester, NH vs Phoenix, AZManchester, NH vs Philadelphia, PA