Manchester NH vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Washington
13.3%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 13.3% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 39.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.1% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 11.6% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.5% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 14.5% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $580,173 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 41.1% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 398 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1999 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 24.0% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 32.8 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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