City Comparison

Manchester vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

53.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 53.2%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to $48,941 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
55
Toledo
Groceries
105
Manchester
98
Toledo
Utilities
114
Manchester
92
Toledo
Transportation
100
Manchester
101
Toledo
Healthcare
112
Manchester
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $48,941 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $114,935 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $128,000. The $222,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,436 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $466/month in Toledo. Toledo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $368 in Toledo. 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 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 and $54,805 respectively. Manchester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $985/month in Toledo. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 53.2% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $48,941 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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