Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Manchester?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Manchester?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $46,000 in Manchester.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Manchester?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 23% higher in Manchester, NH. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$880

+16% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,150

+7% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,593

+18% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,661

+7% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$336,300

+53% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$77,415

+30% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$56,530

+4% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

37.9 yr

+1.8 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

47.5%

49.3%

+1.8 pp in Manchester, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

33.5%

+1.9 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

23.8 min

+5.6 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

339.5

+79% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,691.4

+60% in Baltimore, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

49.2°F

+12.2°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

44.6 in

+2.1 in in Manchester, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

27.3

+26% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$24.53

+30% in Manchester, NH

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Manchester, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Manchester, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Manchester, NH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Manchester, NH

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Manchester?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Manchester?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).