Manchester NH vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 13.9% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 60.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $42,371 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $59,120 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.7% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 16.2% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $468,328 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 41.6% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 450 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2150 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.3% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 71.3°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. 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, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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