Manchester NH vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 39.3 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 76.7% | 53.2% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $63,758 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.1% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $507,575 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 442 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2339 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Plano
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.3% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 27.6 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. 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, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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