Living in Manchester, NH
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

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Thinking of moving to Manchester, NH? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Manchester, NH

Once on the map for its textile mill, Manchester, NH, has reinvented itself. Nestled along the banks of the Merrimack River, Manchester is thoroughly modern, with a nod to its storied history as a significant industrial and economic hub in New England. While textile mills used to dominate the area, the city is now home to diverse industries such as technology, health care, communications and manufacturing. People are moving to Manchester for various reasons, but the city draws residents because of its excellent educational system. There are a dozen or so colleges and universities that offer a wide range of career paths for students, which feed into the city’s strong economy. Another perk of moving to Manchester is that the city makes it easy for newcomers to get involved and find their place.

Manchester entertains its 119,382 residents with artsy venues such as The Palace Theatre and the Currier Museum of Art, which showcase works by many European and American masters. Historical landmarks dot the landscape with an interesting collection of homes, churches and memorials that attract residents and visitors alike. The Millyard Museum, which opened in one of the renovated mill buildings of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, offers rotating exhibits and educational programs about Manchester’s early textile industry. Manchester is the state’s “Queen City,” with residents coming together for sporting events and concerts or to enjoy a night out on the town, which often includes a trendy dining spot or a craft brewery. Plus, Manchester is known for being a dog-friendly city, which is a draw for pup owners.

Top Reasons to Move to Manchester

• With no state income tax and tax-free shopping, Manchester residents enjoy the tax-friendly advantage. 
• Manchester is a regional leader in innovation and has been revitalized into a high-tech corridor.
• Just an hour from Boston, the White Mountains and the Atlantic Coast, Manchester is a strategic hub for New England professionals.
• Manchester offers a high quality of life, with excellent schools, a growing arts scene and plenty of things to do.

Manchester is a vibrant, gritty city perched in southern New Hampshire, about 50 miles north of Boston, where Interstate 93 and U.S. Route 3 crisscross. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is right in the city, a convenient midsize hub offering flights to spots like Chicago and Orlando. When you’re ready to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Boston, MA, sits 50 miles south, boasting the Freedom Trail, Boston Common and the Museum of Fine Arts.
• Portland, ME, is 95 miles northeast, where you can savor lobster rolls at the Old Port, visit the Portland Head Light or browse indie shops on Congress Street.
• Concord, NH, is just 15 miles north, home of the New Hampshire State House at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center and White Mountain National Forest nearby.

From postcard-perfect autumns to warm summers, the region gets all four seasons. It also receives lots and lots of snow in the winter. Thankfully, there are plenty of nearby ski resorts to enjoy all that fresh powder.

Manchester’s robust economy is experiencing significant growth, and the city boasts a burgeoning tech sector, health care industry, financial services, and various retail and hospitality opportunities. Major local employers are Elliot Hospital, Southern New Hampshire University, Fidelity Investments and Catholic Medical Center.  

The cost of living in Manchester is above the national average. The median home value in Manchester is $383,647, and the average household income is $86,419.

There is no state income tax in New Hampshire, and because New Hampshire does not impose a state or local sales tax, the combined sales tax rate in Manchester is 0%.

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Manchester mixes culture and entertainment, creating a community-centered city with plenty of things to do every day. Art enthusiasts love the Currier Museum of Art, featuring works by renowned artists and tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Zimmerman House, or take a self-guided tour of the MHT Art Walk to view local sculptures and murals. Catch a show at the Palace Theatre or visit the Millyard Museum to learn more about local history, from its Native American roots to its industrial past.

For fun, there’s “Art After Work” at the Currier and trivia nights around town. The New Hampshire Fisher Cats provide professional sports entertainment, and unique shops like The Terracotta Room offer local finds. The city fosters a strong spirit through various festivals and events and lively local establishments.

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Make your move to Manchester to explore the great outdoors. From relaxing to non-stop movement, there are plenty of places and parks to explore around town. The city boasts seven parks, including Prout Park with its new pickleball courts, and Derryfield Park, which offers sports fields and cross-country skiing trails. Water bugs can boat or kayak on Lake Massabesic or paddle along the Merrimack River past old mills. Hit the pavement at spots like the Piscataquog River Trail and the South Manchester Rail Trail, perfect for walking, running and biking. Take a time out at Cedar Swamp Preserve, which offers a peaceful nature escape within the city.

For more action, there are two disc golf courses – designed by a world champion – and the McIntyre Ski Area offers skiing and snow tubing during the winter months. Golfers can enjoy the greens at Derryfield Country Club, and Crystal Lake is an excellent spot for swimming and hiking. The city’s proximity to regional attractions like Hampton Beach and the mountains makes it a hub for seasonal outdoor recreation.

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Explore Manchester, NH’s, Growing Wellness Scene 

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to Manchester’s dining scene, blending classic New England comfort with modern culinary trends and a thriving craft beverage culture. Residents can enjoy a collection of diverse dining options, ranging from Puritan Backroom, famous for its chicken tenders and a stop for political figures, to international flavors at Alas de Frida, which serves authentic Mexican cuisine, including birria specialties. Fine dining can be found at The Foundry, emphasizing farm-to-table dishes, while Piccola Italia impresses with traditional Italian fare and tableside Caesar salads.

The craft cocktail and brewery scene is growing, with more than a dozen local spots. Tours like the Manchvegas Brew Bus make it easy to hop between places like Pipe Dream, Great North and Candia Road. Casual taprooms like The Hop Knot and family-friendly brewpubs like Backyard Brewery add to the city’s lively atmosphere.

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What’s Brewing in Manchester, New Hampshire

A major bonus for families in Manchester is that New Hampshire has open enrollment policies, allowing families to apply to schools outside their assigned districts, including charter schools. Manchester School District is the area’s leading public school district and the largest in the state. The district has a strong Career and Technical Education program at the Manchester School of Technology. Though the student-to-teacher ratio varies from school to school, a favorable 12:1 ratio provides the opportunity for more individualized education. Manchester has several religious and non-sectarian private schools that offer smaller class sizes and focus on college prep. Area charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently from the Manchester School District, offering more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

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