ConnecticutPop. 36,759Small cities
Is Manchester a Good Place to Live? Manchester, Connecticut: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Manchester ranks #531 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #99 of 208 small cities and #13 of 20 in Connecticut. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on low graduation rates (70.1%, #188 of 191) and high living costs (102.7, #183 of 208).
Manchester by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Manchester's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Manchester: its police agency covers a much larger area. See Is Manchester safe?
What is the cost of living in Manchester?
Manchester's cost of living index is 102.7, 3% above the US level of 100 and #836 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,384/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $334,689, 26% below the typical Connecticut home ($450,873).
| Measure | Manchester | ConnecticutCT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 92.6 · US 100 | 102.7#836 of 1,308 | 103.6 | 92.6 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $305,499 · US $368,697 | $334,689#482 of 1,187 | $450,873 | $305,499 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,536/mo · US $1,948/mo | $2,066/mo#742 of 1,115 | — | $1,536/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $261,400 | $223,400#304 of 1,309 | — | $261,400 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,178/mo | $1,384/mo#622 of 1,309 | — | $1,178/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.5x | 3x#182 of 1,309 | — | 3.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.9% | 22.4%#718 of 1,309 | — | 19.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Connecticut is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Manchester housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Manchester is in the Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT metro.
Connecticut housing market →Is Manchester safe?
Manchester Police Department serves 60,061 people across a larger area than Manchester (population 36,759), so its rate is not a Manchester rate and we don't rank Manchester on safety. Connecticut as a whole records 110 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Manchester?
The median household in Manchester earns $74,267, 11% below the US figure of $83,163 and 23% below Connecticut ($96,049). Unemployment is 4.2% (US 4.3%). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Manchester | ConnecticutCT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $71,675 · US $83,163 | $74,267#724 of 1,312 | $96,049 | $71,675 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7% · US 4.3% | 4.2%#576 of 1,058 | 4% | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 13% | 12.5%#690 of 1,312 | — | 13% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Connecticut is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Manchester?
The median resident of Manchester is 37.3 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 31.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #732 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 55.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Manchester | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.3 | 37.3 | 37.3 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 32.5% | 31.5%#732 of 1,312 | 32.5% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 62.3% | 55.9% | 62.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Manchester's schools and health?
Manchester's 11 public schools graduate 70.1% of students in four years (Connecticut 88.9%), with 11.2 students per teacher and $26,437 spent per pupil. 34.2% of adults are obese and 11.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 35.6% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Manchester | ConnecticutCT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 70.1%#1033 of 1,063 | 88.9% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.9 | 11.2#38 of 1,188 | — | 14.9 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $13,509 | $26,437#43 of 1,188 | — | $13,509 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 35.6% | 34.2%#715 of 1,311 | — | 35.6% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 11.4%#688 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.3% | 18.4%#933 of 1,311 | — | 17.3% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 9.2% | 11%#780 of 1,311 | — | 9.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Connecticut is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 6,239 students are enrolled in Manchester's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Manchester?
The average commute in Manchester is 22.8 minutes (Connecticut 27); 3% of workers take transit and 9.9% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Manchester scores 13.6 of 20 (above average walkable), #225 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 72.8°F and winters 31.1°F, with 42.8 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Manchester | ConnecticutCT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 21.5 min | 22.8 min#572 of 1,312 | 27 min | 21.5 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.6% | 5%#570 of 1,312 | 9.2% | 4.6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75.7% | 75.5% | 70.2% | 75.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.5% | 3% | 4% | 0.5% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 1.9% | 2.4% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 10% | 9.9% | 13.4% | 10% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 13.6#225 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Connecticut is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36.8 | 20.3 | 2.9 |
| Feb | 39.5 | 22.1 | 2.6 |
| Mar | 47.6 | 29.6 | 3.5 |
| Apr | 60.1 | 40 | 3.8 |
| May | 70.9 | 50.1 | 3.4 |
| Jun | 79.6 | 59.8 | 3.9 |
| Jul | 84.6 | 65.7 | 3.9 |
| Aug | 83 | 64.2 | 3.5 |
| Sep | 75.6 | 56 | 4 |
| Oct | 63.7 | 44.3 | 4.2 |
| Nov | 52.1 | 34.6 | 3.4 |
| Dec | 41.7 | 25.9 | 3.8 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Hartford Brainard Fld.
| Measure | Manchester | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 56.3°F | 52°F | 56.3°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.3°F | 72.8°F | 76.3°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.7°F | 31.1°F | 36.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 43.2 in | 42.8 in | 43.2 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Hartford Brainard Fld.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Manchester?
Hartford County's air had a median air quality index of 42, and 68% of measured days were rated good; 8 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Capitol Planning Region's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 54% of US counties.
| Measure | Manchester | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 41 | 42#457 of 1,138 | 41 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 8#805 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.14%#636 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Hartford County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Capitol Planning Region
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.11% | 79% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0065% | 69% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.004% | 60% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.003% | 28% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Manchester compare with similar-size cities?
Manchester is one of 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track and ranks #99 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 36,759.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester, CTPop. 36,759 | #531 | 57.6 | $74,267 | $1,384/mo | county/metro | 22.8 min |
| Kaneohe, HIPop. 37,355 | #284 | 62.4 | $125,613 | $2,269/mo | no data | 27.6 min |
| Greenfield, WIPop. 37,345 | #268 | 62.8 | $70,459 | $1,170/mo | 105 | 22.2 min |
| Leavenworth, KSPop. 37,195 | #820 | 53.0 | $72,987 | $1,229/mo | 455 | 19.6 min |
| South Valley, NMPop. 37,120 | #1229 | 43.7 | $58,224 | $954/mo | no data | 25.6 min |
| Richmond, KYPop. 37,111 | #678 | 55.5 | $50,870 | $917/mo | 243 | 23 min |
| Winchester, NVPop. 37,081 | #1285 | 39.0 | $50,120 | $1,220/mo | no data | 26 min |
| Muskogee, OKPop. 36,758 | #1279 | 39.6 | $50,213 | $858/mo | 846 | 19.3 min |
| Benton, ARPop. 36,595 | #594 | 56.8 | $72,876 | $1,072/mo | 445 | 24.2 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Manchester compare with the rest of Connecticut?
Manchester ranks #13 of the 20 Connecticut cities we track, with a score of 57.6 against Connecticut's statewide 66.9. Its households earn 23% below the Connecticut median. Homes are 26% below the typical Connecticut home.
| City | Rank in CT | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Hartford, CTPop. 63,620 | #1 | 75.4 | $129,890 | $1,756/mo | 45 |
| Milford, CTPop. 51,023 | #2 | 69.3 | $111,201 | $1,882/mo | 71 |
| Stamford, CTPop. 137,144 | #3 | 67.9 | $111,586 | $2,276/mo | 154 |
| Norwalk, CTPop. 92,187 | #4 | 67.0 | $107,616 | $2,073/mo | 50 |
| Shelton, CTPop. 41,889 | #5 | 66.9 | $108,185 | $1,741/mo | 32 |
| Naugatuck, CTPop. 31,800 | #6 | 63.9 | $96,324 | $1,369/mo | 56 |
| Middletown, CTPop. 47,958 | #7 | 63.8 | $79,438 | $1,446/mo | 67 |
| Bristol, CTPop. 61,462 | #8 | 62.7 | $79,076 | $1,338/mo | 53 |
| Torrington, CTPop. 35,547 | #9 | 59.9 | $70,856 | $1,169/mo | 98 |
| West Haven, CTPop. 55,351 | #10 | 59.4 | $74,382 | $1,442/mo | 65 |
| Danbury, CTPop. 87,263 | #11 | 59.2 | $83,393 | $1,846/mo | 146 |
| East Hartford, CTPop. 50,918 | #12 | 58.7 | $70,778 | $1,225/mo | 92 |
| Manchester, CTPop. 36,759 | #13 | 57.6 | $74,267 | $1,384/mo | county/metro |
| Norwich, CTPop. 39,973 | #14 | 57.4 | $65,024 | $1,253/mo | 215 |
| Meriden, CTPop. 60,545 | #15 | 56.7 | $71,253 | $1,294/mo | 153 |
| New Britain, CTPop. 74,223 | #16 | 53.1 | $58,613 | $1,253/mo | 424 |
| New Haven, CTPop. 134,349 | #17 | 52.7 | $56,851 | $1,488/mo | 399 |
| Bridgeport, CTPop. 149,153 | #18 | 52.1 | $58,685 | $1,450/mo | 250 |
| Waterbury, CTPop. 114,869 | #19 | 48.7 | $51,886 | $1,225/mo | 295 |
| Hartford, CTPop. 121,127 | #20 | 48.0 | $46,411 | $1,269/mo | 459 |
All 20 Connecticut cities we track, by overall score. Connecticut statewide: median income $96,049, violent crime 109.6 per 100,000.
How is Manchester's score calculated?
Manchester scores 57.6 out of 100, #531 of 1,312 (grade B, which follows rank). It is scored on the 8 of 11 categories with local data; safety, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Connecticut's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 20% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Manchester. Similar-size median 52.9.
51.2 - HealthCity data · 16% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Manchester. Similar-size median 52.2.
51.5 - EducationCity data · 16% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Manchester's public schools. Similar-size median 59.4.
68.0 - AffordabilityCity data · 13% of score
Manchester's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 76.3.
70.0 - Household financesCity data · 11% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Manchester. Similar-size median 46.7.
49.5 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Manchester. Similar-size median 47.3.
48.6 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Manchester's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
66.3 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 54.8.
55.0 - SafetyNot scored
Manchester's police agency covers a much larger area, so its rate is not a Manchester rate.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Manchester.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Manchester's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Manchester has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Manchester
Is Manchester, CT a good place to live?
Manchester ranks #531 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #99 of 208 small cities and #13 of 20 in Connecticut. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on low graduation rates (70.1%, #188 of 191) and high living costs (102.7, #183 of 208).
What is the cost of living in Manchester?
Manchester's cost of living index is 102.7, 3% above the US level of 100 and #836 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,384/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $334,689, 26% below the typical Connecticut home ($450,873).
Is Manchester safe?
Manchester Police Department serves 60,061 people across a larger area than Manchester (population 36,759), so its rate is not a Manchester rate and we don't rank Manchester on safety. Connecticut as a whole records 110 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Manchester?
The median household in Manchester earns $74,267, 11% below the US figure of $83,163 and 23% below Connecticut ($96,049). Unemployment is 4.2% (US 4.3%). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Manchester?
Median rent in Manchester is $1,384/mo (Census), #622 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,066/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 22.4% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Manchester?
The typical home value in Manchester is $334,689, up 4.7% in a year, against $450,873 for Connecticut and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $223,400.
How are the public schools in Manchester?
Manchester's 11 public schools graduate 70.1% of students in four years (Connecticut 88.9%), with 11.2 students per teacher and $26,437 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Manchester?
The average commute is 22.8 minutes, #572 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 27 minutes across Connecticut. 5% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Manchester?
Manchester averages 52°F over the year, 72.8°F in summer and 31.1°F in winter, with 42.8 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Manchester walkable?
Manchester scores 13.6 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #225 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Manchester at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Capitol Planning Region's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 54% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Manchester?
Hartford County's air had a median air quality index of 42, and 68% of measured days were rated good; 8 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Manchester?
Manchester has 36,759 residents. The median resident of Manchester is 37.3 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 31.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #732 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 55.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Manchester compare with the rest of Connecticut?
Manchester ranks #13 of the 20 Connecticut cities we track, with a score of 57.6 against Connecticut's statewide 66.9. Its households earn 23% below the Connecticut median. Homes are 26% below the typical Connecticut home.
What cities are similar in size to Manchester?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Manchester's population of 36,759 are Kaneohe, HI (#284 overall), Greenfield, WI (#268 overall), Leavenworth, KS (#820 overall), South Valley, NM (#1229 overall), and Richmond, KY (#678 overall). Manchester is #531.