City Comparison

Manchester vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

11.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.3%, with Warwick being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to $67,373 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
127
Warwick
Groceries
105
Manchester
102
Warwick
Utilities
114
Manchester
112
Warwick
Transportation
100
Manchester
105
Warwick
Healthcare
112
Manchester
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $67,373 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $83,491 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $413,000. The $63,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 114 in Manchester and 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $448 in Warwick. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 112 in Manchester and 103 in Warwick. 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 $65,018 in Manchester and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Warwick is 11.3% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,373 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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