Manchester NH vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 76.7% | 40.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $66,772 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $36,694 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $64,538 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.4% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 20.1% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 41.2% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Providence
174
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Providence
1303
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 174 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1303 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.6% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.6% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | 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 +
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 27.4 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 174 in Providence. 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, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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