City Comparison

Manchester vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

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

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

43.9%

Youngstown is 43.9% less expensive than Manchester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Manchester would need approximately $52,119 in Youngstown to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
41
Youngstown
Groceries
105
Manchester
98
Youngstown
Utilities
114
Manchester
96
Youngstown
Transportation
100
Manchester
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
112
Manchester
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $52,119 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $107,927 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $102,000. The $248,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,116 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $466/month in Youngstown. Youngstown 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 99 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youngstown is 43.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,119 in Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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