Manchester NH vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Portland
11.1%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 68,505 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 11.1% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.2% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 3.1% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $76,174 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $61,587 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.4% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 11.3% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $561,069 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 46.7% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Portland
1234
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1234 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.8% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.3% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 47.3 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 134 in Manchester. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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