City Comparison

Manchester vs Odessa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

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

Odessa

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$223,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$73,500
Median Income

The Verdict

38.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 38.8%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to $54,025 in Odessa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
72
Odessa
Groceries
105
Manchester
96
Odessa
Utilities
114
Manchester
100
Odessa
Transportation
100
Manchester
93
Odessa
Healthcare
112
Manchester
96
Odessa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $54,025 in Odessa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $104,118 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs Odessa

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $223,000. The $127,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,256 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $400 in Odessa. 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 112 in Manchester and 96 in Odessa. 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 $65,018 in Manchester and $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 38.8% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,025 in Odessa, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while Odessa's is 72 with median homes at $223,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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