Founded in 1751 and deemed the “Queen City,” Manchester is one of New England’s largest cities, and is considered one of the nation’s most affordable places to live. This New Hampshire oasis features historic architecture, stunning views of Merrimack River, and fall foliage that will have you snapping photos all season long.
Manchester is one of the fastest-growing cities in New England. It was named the “Number One Small City in the East” by Money Magazine and listed as one of the top places to live and start a business by CNN. Though Manchester is as regal as ever, there is an array of affordable apartments in the city. After you find your perfect rental, check out a sports event or live concert at SNHU Arena, see a play at the historic Palace Theatre, admire the works of great artists at the Currier Museum of Art, or shop at the vast Mall of New Hampshire – the third-largest mall in the state!
Manchester sits directly west of Massabesic Lake, and features family-friendly green spaces like Livingston Park and State Park. This picturesque city is home to Southern New Hampshire University and excellent public schools like Webster Elementary. Residents of Manchester have easy access to I-293 and I-93, making commuting to nearby cities like Concord and Haverhill easier than ever.
As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Manchester, NH is $1,356 for a studio, $1,722 for one bedroom, $2,110 for two bedrooms, and $2,513 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Manchester has increased by 1.4% in the past year.
The cost of living in Manchester, NH is 13.9% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Manchester is 15.3% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,356 - $2,513. You can expect to pay 1.0% more for groceries, 18.0% more for utilities, and 8.2% more for transportation.
Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in New Hampshire with our detailed guide.
Very Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.
Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades 1-4
196 Students
Public
Grades K-4
487 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
435 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
426 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
325 Students
Public
Grades 5-8
858 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
746 Students
Henry J. Mclaughlin Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
660 Students
Public
Grades 5-8
750 Students
Manchester Central High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,168 Students
Manchester Memorial High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,405 Students
Manchester School Of Technology (High School)
Public
Grades 9-12
332 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
772 Students
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.
