Manchester NH vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 9.1% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 61.6% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 8.9% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $69,581 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 240 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1726 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 36.5% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Virginia Beach. 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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