Manchester NH vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 76.7% | 61.8% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 8.2% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.2% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $871,599 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 44.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 383 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 3409 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.0% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.6°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 28.8 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. 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, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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