City Comparison

Gresham vs Manchester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

Manchester

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

The Verdict

8.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.5%, with Manchester being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to $69,141 in Manchester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
172
Gresham
140
Manchester
Groceries
101
Gresham
105
Manchester
Utilities
96
Gresham
114
Manchester
Transportation
126
Gresham
100
Manchester
Healthcare
103
Gresham
112
Manchester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $69,141 in Manchester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Manchester equals $81,356 in Gresham.

Living in Gresham vs Manchester

Housing Costs

Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Manchester's 140, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $350,000. The $109,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,600/mo in Manchester, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 105 in Manchester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham vs $499/month in Manchester. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Gresham and 114 in Manchester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham 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 103 in Gresham and 112 in Manchester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $69,600 in Gresham and $65,018 in Manchester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $55,100 respectively. Manchester residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,517/month in Manchester. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Manchester is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 118 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,141 in Manchester, based on the cost of living difference.
Gresham's housing index is 172 with median homes at $459,000, while Manchester's is 140 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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