Manchester NH vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 39.7 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 76.7% | 40.5% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.1% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.6% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $1,369,171 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 38.5% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.6% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 55.3°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 33.9 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. 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, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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