Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Manchester versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Manchester or Spokane?

Manchester is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Manchester vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,430 in Manchester, NH versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,415 in Manchester, NH and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 15% higher in Manchester, NH. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Manchester, NH

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$880

$884

+0% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,150

$903

+21% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,593

$1,192

+25% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,442

+13% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$336,300

$326,200

+3% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$77,415

$65,745

+15% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$56,530

$54,660

+3% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.9 yr

37.2 yr

+0.7 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

49.3%

58.3%

+9.0 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

32.6%

+0.9 pp in Manchester, NH

Avg Commute

23.8 min

21.2 min

+2.6 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

339.5

683.6

+101% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,691.4

4,931.8

+192% in Spokane, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

49.2°F

48.9°F

+0.3°F in Manchester, NH

Annual Precipitation

44.6 in

17.8 in

+26.8 in in Manchester, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

27.3

14.9

+45% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.53

$20.41

+17% in Manchester, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NH / WA)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Manchester vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Manchester than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Manchester versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Manchester or Spokane?: Manchester is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).