CostIndexUSA

Columbus, OH vs Manchester, NH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
NH
Manchester
105.7
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than Manchester — 10.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $88,500 in Manchester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+52.7%
Columbus
87.9
Manchester
134.2
🛒 Groceries+4.4%
Columbus
93.6
Manchester
97.7
🚗 Transportation+4.8%
Columbus
103.9
Manchester
108.9
🏥 Healthcare+4.8%
Columbus
94
Manchester
98.5
Utilities+39.8%
Columbus
95.5
Manchester
133.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Columbus to see what you'd need to earn in Manchester to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Manchester, NH
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Manchester

Formula: salary × (105.7 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1068. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, OH

Median Home Price
$317,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
87.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Manchester, NH

Median Home Price
$503,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
134.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0×

Manchester has 52.7% higher housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, OH

Median Household Income
$77,400
Per Capita Income
$44,100
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
905,748
Top Industries
FinanceRetailHealthcareEducationGovernment

Manchester, NH

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
115,644
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceTechnologyManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Columbus, OH
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Manchester, NH
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.