Manchester NH vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 13.6% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 53.8% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 12.7% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $59,120 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.5% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 11.4% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 398 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1999 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.1°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 46.2 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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