B+
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
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 Missouri National
Cost of living10388100
Goods & Services9292100
Groceries9795100
Health care8990100
Housing12478100
Transportation9491100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Manchester, MO

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 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Manchester are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Manchester can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Housing costs significantly influence the Manchester cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 23.7%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

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 29.8% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 9.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Manchester come in at $78,381, which is 41.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Manchester?

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Manchester, the housing index is 23.7% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Manchester, the groceries index is 3.1% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Manchester, healthcare costs are 11.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Manchester cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors 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 17% higher than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in Manchester is 3% higher than the national average
  • Manchester housing is 24% higher than the national average
  • Missouri general sales tax is 17% lower than the national average
  • Missouri state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Manchester

See all the best places to live around Manchester

Compare Manchester, MO 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$97,290$8,108$2,270$2,919
      Renters$43,050$3,588$1,004$1,292
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Manchester, MO, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Manchester have a median income of $97,290. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,270 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $43,050, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,004.

      Missouri Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Missouri 4.225% 10.85%

      Missouri Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Missouri 2% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.19$24.2612.7%
      Beauty Salon $40.57$45.5611.0%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.3%
      Movie $11.28$12.137.1%
      Bowling $16.92$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.40$5.849.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.5713.3%
      Milk $4.50$4.673.7%
      Potatoes $5.28$4.936.9%
      Pizza $10.84$12.0910.3%
      Beer $9.47$10.419.1%

      Health Care

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.72$125.680.0%
      Doctor $124.51$135.788.3%
      Dentist $100.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.14$10.654.8%
      Lipitor $520.16$468.6011.0%

      Housing

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Home Price $239,700.00$184,700.0029.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,737.43$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,040.00$949.009.6%

      Transportation

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $50.00$59.9216.6%

      Utilities

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $133.84$193.9931.0%
      Phone $188.69$192.251.9%
      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.
      Champ, MO3945.9%
      Defiance, MO68945.9%
      Peaceful Village, MO926732.5%
      East Carondelet, IL3177723.2%
      Kinloch, MO3377822.4%
      Manchester, MO18,1021033.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Idylwood, VA18,09915958.9%
      Hurricane, UT18,11211010.2%
      Upper Grand Lagoon, FL18,1141076.8%
      North Aurora, IL18,08911212.4%
      Buckhall, VA18,11614645.9%
      Manchester, MO18,1021033.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.