Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Manchester, NH
🏆 Manchester leads 13 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Manchester
New Hampshire
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,040
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
115,037
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 32°F
Households earn $3,615 more per year on average
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Manchester
Cons
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.2%)
Manchester, NH
Pros
60% less violent crime than Atlanta
Homes cost $91k less ($304,700 vs $395,600)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.2%)
Rent averages $150/mo less ($1,362 vs $1,512)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 90°F
Cons
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Median income trails Atlanta by $3,615/yr
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Atlanta
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 104.2 (100 = US avg)
Atlanta
Median Income
$3,615
$77,655 vs $74,040/yr
Atlanta
Summer Heat
8.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 81.1°F
Manchester
Violent Crime
60% lower
336.0 vs 840.6 per 100k
Manchester
Median Home Value
$91k less
$304,700 vs $395,600
Manchester
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Manchester, NH |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 104.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High | $304,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $1,362⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $74,040 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 10.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 32.3% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 88.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Manchester School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 31.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 81.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 42.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 52.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 115,037 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 48.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 18.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Manchester's 104.2 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Manchester leads 13 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 10 and Manchester wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Atlanta to Manchester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $304,700 median home), income ($77,655 vs $74,040), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Manchester, NH are about 947 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.