Manchester NH vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Manchester
115,415
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 76.7% | 58.0% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $67,544 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $35,825 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.4% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 19.8% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 42.4% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Worcester
1086
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 326 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1086 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 35.3% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.9% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 48.1 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 27.3 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. 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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