Manchester NH vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 26,509 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 38.7 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 7.1% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 3.6% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 3.9% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $69,467 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 284 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1992 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 36.4% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 28.3 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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