City Comparison

Bellevue vs Manchester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Manchester

New Hampshire
118
Above Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,018
Median Income

The Verdict

33.9%

Living in Manchester costs 33.9% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $56,013 in Manchester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Bellevue
140
Manchester
Groceries
111
Bellevue
105
Manchester
Utilities
100
Bellevue
114
Manchester
Transportation
134
Bellevue
100
Manchester
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
112
Manchester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $56,013 in Manchester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Manchester equals $100,424 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Manchester

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Manchester's 140, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $350,000. The $951,000 difference in home prices means roughly $61,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,600/mo in Manchester, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 105 in Manchester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $499/month in Manchester. Manchester offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 114 in Manchester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $456 in Manchester. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 112 in Manchester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $65,018 in Manchester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $55,100 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,517/month in Manchester. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Manchester is 33.9% more affordable overall with an index of 118 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,013 in Manchester, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Manchester's is 140 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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