A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Manchester Tennessee National
Cost of living8789100
Goods & Services9094100
Groceries9798100
Health care9288100
Housing7680100
Transportation8889100
Utilities9393100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Manchester, TN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Manchester is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Manchester is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Is Manchester Affordable?

Is Manchester an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Manchester, the median home price is 25.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 21.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Manchester come in at $49,389, which is 10.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Manchester?

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Manchester, the housing index is 24.1% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Manchester, the groceries index is 2.9% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Manchester, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Manchester is 3% lower than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Manchester is 13% lower than the national average
  • Manchester housing is 24% lower than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Manchester

See all the best places to live around Manchester

Compare Manchester, TN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$66,639$5,553$1,555$1,999
      Renters$34,891$2,908$814$1,047
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Manchester, TN, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Manchester, homeowners have a median income of $66,639. Using that number, a maximum of $1,555 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $34,891, which means there is a maximum of $814 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Tennessee 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.80$24.2622.5%
      Beauty Salon $48.40$45.566.2%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.8%
      Movie $12.57$12.133.6%
      Bowling $16.47$18.008.5%

      Groceries

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.63$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.578.9%
      Milk $4.49$4.673.9%
      Potatoes $5.17$4.934.8%
      Pizza $11.66$12.093.6%
      Beer $10.02$10.413.8%

      Health Care

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.00$125.6810.9%
      Doctor $129.61$135.784.5%
      Dentist $96.50$113.2914.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.39$10.652.4%
      Lipitor $465.03$468.600.8%

      Housing

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Home Price $138,200.00$184,700.0025.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,008.10$2,346.6914.4%
      Apartment Rent $743.00$949.0021.7%

      Transportation

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.09$3.4610.6%
      Tire Balancing $50.87$59.9215.1%

      Utilities

      Item Manchester National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $170.16$193.9912.3%
      Phone $192.18$192.250.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Viola, TN141928.3%
      Pelham, TN334928.3%
      Lakewood Park, TN9237722.6%
      Morrison, TN6878415.8%
      Wartrace, TN6618713.4%
      Manchester, TN10,8968713.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Waynesboro, PA10,898990.8%
      Maynard, MA10,90013635.8%
      Malvern, AR10,8868416.2%
      Kings Mountain, NC10,885928.0%
      Sussex, WI10,88411313.1%
      Manchester, TN10,8968713.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.