Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Manchester?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $46,000 in Manchester.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Manchester?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Columbus vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 27% higher in Manchester, NH. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$826

$880

+7% in Manchester, NH

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,150

+31% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,593

+61% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,661

+36% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$336,300

+84% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$77,415

+37% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$56,530

+30% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.9 yr

+2.8 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

50.2%

49.3%

+0.9 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

33.5%

+3.8 pp in Manchester, NH

Avg Commute

20.2 min

23.8 min

+3.6 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

339.5

+45% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,691.4

+26% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

49.2°F

+16.5°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

44.6 in

+2.2 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

27.3

+73% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$24.53

+26% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / NH)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Columbus vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Manchester?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Manchester?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).