City Comparison

Killeen vs Manchester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

Manchester

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

The Verdict

28.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.8%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to $105,357 in Manchester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
56
Killeen
140
Manchester
Groceries
96
Killeen
105
Manchester
Utilities
108
Killeen
114
Manchester
Transportation
95
Killeen
100
Manchester
Healthcare
96
Killeen
112
Manchester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $105,357 in Manchester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Manchester equals $53,390 in Killeen.

Living in Killeen vs Manchester

Housing Costs

Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower Manchester's 140, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $350,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,600/mo in Manchester, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 105 in Manchester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen vs $499/month in Manchester. Killeen offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Killeen and 114 in Manchester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen vs $456 in Manchester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Killeen and 112 in Manchester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,400 in Killeen and $65,018 in Manchester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $55,100 respectively. Killeen residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $1,517/month in Manchester. In Killeen, median rent of $975/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 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 28.8% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $105,357 in Manchester, based on the cost of living difference.
Killeen's housing index is 56 with median homes at $235,000, while Manchester's is 140 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases