C
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
1%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Manchester Connecticut National
Cost of living105118100
Goods & Services108109100
Groceries101102100
Health care103109100
Housing99137100
Transportation96100100
Utilities127130100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Manchester, CT

The cost of living in Manchester affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Manchester is 105, which is 5% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Manchester closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Manchester can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Manchester Affordable?

Is Manchester an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Manchester, the median home price is 10.4% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 20.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Manchester come in at $61,631, which is 11.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Manchester?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Manchester, the healthcare costs are 2.8% higher than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Manchester, is 1.1% lower than the national average.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Manchester, the transportation index is 3.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Manchester cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Manchester is 11% lower than the Connecticut average
  • The cost of living in Manchester is 5% higher than the national average
  • Manchester housing is 1% lower than the national average
  • Connecticut general sales tax is 24% higher than the national average
  • Connecticut state income tax is 16% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Manchester

See all the best places to live around Manchester

Compare Manchester, CT Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$82,698$6,892$1,929$2,481
      Renters$38,540$3,212$899$1,156
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Manchester, CT, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Manchester homeowners, is $82,698. This would allow for a maximum of $1,929 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $38,540 which would result in a maximum of $899 to be spent on rental costs.

      Connecticut Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Connecticut 6.35% 6.35%

      Connecticut Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Connecticut 3% 6.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.78$24.2639.2%
      Beauty Salon $58.55$45.5628.5%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.42$1.2810.9%
      Movie $12.85$12.135.9%
      Bowling $18.33$18.001.9%

      Groceries

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.23$5.846.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.4%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.96$4.930.6%
      Pizza $10.79$12.0910.7%
      Beer $10.49$10.410.8%

      Health Care

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $166.22$125.6832.3%
      Doctor $182.50$135.7834.4%
      Dentist $127.00$113.2912.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.89$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $384.88$468.6017.9%

      Housing

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Home Price $165,400.00$184,700.0010.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,110.08$2,346.6910.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,147.00$949.0020.9%

      Transportation

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.34$3.463.4%
      Tire Balancing $71.63$59.9219.5%

      Utilities

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $302.09$193.9955.7%
      Phone $185.16$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Blue Hills, CT2,6001022.0%
      Rockville, CT7,0841022.4%
      New Britain, CT72,5431033.2%
      Stafford Springs, CT4,7841043.8%
      Hartford, CT122,5491043.9%
      Manchester, CT35,9461054.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Panama City, FL35,952963.7%
      San Juan Capistrano, CA35,97618484.1%
      Marion, OH36,0118613.9%
      Franklin, WI36,01311110.9%
      West Kelowna, BC36,030n/a 
      Manchester, CT35,9461054.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.