CostIndexUSA

Manchester, NH vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NH
Manchester
105.7
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is significantly cheaper than Manchester — 15.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Manchester, you would need $67,900 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing52.1%
Manchester
134.2
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Manchester
97.7
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation6.8%
Manchester
108.9
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare6.7%
Manchester
98.5
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities36.4%
Manchester
133.5
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$67,900
$12,100 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 105.7) = salary × 0.8486. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Manchester, NH

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

Montgomery, AL

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
64.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4×

Manchester has 52.1% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Manchester, NH

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

Montgomery, AL

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
199,518
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Manchester, NH
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Montgomery, AL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.