Manchester NH vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 14.6% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 36.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $60,698 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $37,669 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $65,080 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 8.4% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 22.0% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 319 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1613 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 57.1°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 48.5 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 34.5 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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