Manchester NH vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 76.7% | 21.8% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.4% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $28,813 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.7% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 14.2% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 15.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $751,711 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 47.0% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 503 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2388 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.2% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 22.4% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 57.3°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 28.8 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. 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, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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