Manchester NH vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Portland
12.4%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 38.6 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 12.4% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 70.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 11.3% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $63,691 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.5% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 12.8% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $538,687 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 355 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 3001 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.3% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.7% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.6°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 78.3 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 26.5 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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