CostIndexUSA

Manchester, NH vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NH
Manchester
105.7
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is significantly cheaper than Manchester — 17.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Manchester, you would need $66,400 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing56.6%
Manchester
134.2
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Manchester
97.7
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation6.8%
Manchester
108.9
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare6.7%
Manchester
98.5
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities36.8%
Manchester
133.5
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$66,400
$13,600 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 105.7) = salary × 0.8297. 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×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Manchester has 56.6% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

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)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.