Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Manchester, NH
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Quincy leads 13 of 23 categories
Manchester
New Hampshire
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,040
Violent Crime Index
88
Population
115,037 ✓ Larger
Quincy
Massachusetts
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Manchester, NH
Pros
Homes cost $259k less ($304,700 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $539/mo less ($1,362 vs $1,901)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.2%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Cons
Median income trails Quincy by $16,628/yr
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Quincy, MA
Pros
Households earn $16,628 more per year on average
More college-educated — 46.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 4.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Manchester
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 104.2 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Manchester
Median Home Value
$259k less
$304,700 vs $563,200
Manchester
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.7% unemployment
Quincy
Median Income
$16,628
$90,668 vs $74,040/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Quincy, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,700 ✓ Lower | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,362⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,040 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.5% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 84 | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 88 | 88 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 78 | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.3% | 46.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.3% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Manchester School District | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 37.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 83.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.5" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.8" | 50.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 115,037 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% ✓ Higher | 43.9% |
| Under 18 | 18.2% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 14.4% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Manchester's cost of living index is 104.2 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Manchester is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Quincy leads 13 of 23 categories. Manchester wins 10 and Quincy 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 Manchester to Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,700 vs $563,200 median home), income ($74,040 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Manchester, NH and Quincy, MA are about 55 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.