Manchester NH vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 6.6% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 45.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.4% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 5.1% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $55,279 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $38,947 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $58,527 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.1% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 19.8% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 45.4% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 501 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2418 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 36.8% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.8% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.9% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.8% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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