Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Manchester?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Manchester?

Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Lincoln vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE versus $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 10% higher in Manchester, NH. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$851

$880

+3% in Manchester, NH

1 Bedroom

$879

$1,150

+31% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,593

+49% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,661

+20% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$336,300

+35% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$77,415

+11% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$56,530

+14% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

37.9 yr

+4.5 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

55.8%

49.3%

+6.5 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

33.5%

+7.5 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

18.3 min

23.8 min

+5.5 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

339.5

+6% in Lincoln, NE

Property Crime

2,484.4

1,691.4

+32% in Lincoln, NE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

49.2°F

+2.3°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

44.6 in

+13.7 in in Manchester, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Lincoln, NE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

27.3

+101% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$24.53

+58% in Manchester, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Manchester, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Manchester, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Manchester, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / NH)

5.5%

None

+5.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Lincoln vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Manchester?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Manchester?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).