Manchester NH vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 76.7% | 30.4% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.5% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.1% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $2,144,024 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 43.8% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. 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, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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