Many people leave Boston for Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest city, to keep more of each paycheck. New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no state tax on wages, and Manchester’s housing costs are a fraction of Boston’s: the median home value is about $365,600, compared with about $731,700 in Boston, and median rent is about $1,564 a month, compared with about $2,147. The savings are real, but they depend on where you work, how much property tax you pay, and how you handle the move itself. Run the numbers on taxes first, choose a mover licensed for interstate moves, and plan for an hour’s drive up Interstate 93 on move day.
Stark Moving and Storage serves both greater Boston and southern New Hampshire, so we move people up the I-93 corridor to Manchester often. We handle the interstate paperwork, packing, and storage for moves that need a gap between closings. This guide covers the tax picture, living costs, jobs, neighborhoods, schools, safety, and the rules that apply to your move.
Manchester, NH in Numbers
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Manchester QuickFacts, Manchester has about 116,818 residents and a median household income of about $81,007. About 49 percent of homes are owner-occupied, and the average commute is about 24 minutes, shorter than Boston’s average of about 30.
The Tax Picture: Massachusetts vs New Hampshire
| Tax | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| State tax on wages | Flat 5 percent, plus a surtax on very high incomes | None |
| General sales tax | 6.25 percent | None |
| Property tax | Varies by town | Often higher, since it carries more of the cost of local services and schools |
| Meals and rooms | Taxed | Taxed |
There is one big catch. If you live in New Hampshire but keep a job in Massachusetts, Massachusetts generally still taxes the wages you earn there. The biggest savings go to people who work in New Hampshire or work remotely. Our guide to Boston taxes covers what you pay now. Talk to a tax professional before you decide.
How Far Your Money Goes in Manchester
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates these yearly costs for Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester:
- Housing, one adult: $17,226
- Food, one adult: $4,627
- Transportation, one adult: $9,291
- Income needed before taxes, one adult: $53,207
- Income needed before taxes, two working adults and two children: $134,292
Housing is where you save the most. Transportation runs higher, because almost everyone drives.
Picking a Part of Town
North End: older, larger homes on tree-lined streets, popular with families.
Downtown and the Millyard: apartments and lofts near Elm Street restaurants, the SNHU Arena, and the riverfront mills.
West Side: residential neighborhoods across the Merrimack River, with many multi-family homes.
South End: quieter streets close to the airport.
East Side: a mix of homes and apartments, with hilly streets in places.
Some buyers also look at Bedford, the suburb on Manchester’s western edge, where prices are higher.
Working in Manchester or Commuting to Massachusetts
Manchester’s brick mills along the river, known as the Millyard, now hold tech companies and offices. Healthcare, education, and finance also employ many residents, and Southern New Hampshire University is a large employer in the area.
If you plan to commute to Massachusetts, there is no passenger train. Most people drive I-93, and some take commuter buses. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is in the city, which saves the drive to Logan.
Manchester Winters and Summers
BestPlaces averages for Manchester:
| Measure | Manchester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Snow per year | About 58 inches | 28 inches |
| January low | About 13 degrees | Varies by region |
| July high | About 82 degrees | Varies by region |
| Rain per year | About 44 inches | 38 inches |
| Sunny days | About 195 | 205 |
Winters are colder and snowier than Boston’s. Our winter moving tips cover how to handle a cold-weather move.
Public Schools and Higher Education
The Manchester School District serves about 11,950 students, with a student-teacher ratio of about 12 to 1. Niche gives the district an overall grade of C, so many families research individual schools or look at nearby towns such as Bedford. For college, Southern New Hampshire University is based in the area and Saint Anselm College sits just outside the city.
Safety and Crime Statistics
NeighborhoodScout reports Manchester’s 2024 violent crime rate at about 3.3 per 1,000 residents and its property crime rate at about 16.4 per 1,000, using FBI data. Both are a little below the national medians of about 4 and 18. As in any city, some areas have more crime than others.
Interstate Moving Rules for the Boston to Manchester Route
The drive is only about 55 miles, but crossing the state line puts the move under federal rules.
- Your mover needs a USDOT number and interstate authority
- The estimate is either binding or non-binding
- On a non-binding estimate, the mover cannot require more than 110 percent at delivery
- Full value protection is the default coverage unless you choose released value
- You have up to nine months to file a claim
Our guide to long distance moves explains how state lines affect your price.
Tip: Look up a mover’s USDOT number before you book. A company licensed only for moves inside Massachusetts cannot legally take your household to New Hampshire.
New Resident Checklist for New Hampshire
- Start your car registration at the Manchester city clerk’s office, then finish with the state Division of Motor Vehicles
- Switch to a New Hampshire driver’s license and check the current deadline for new residents
- Move your car insurance to New Hampshire
- Set up electric, gas, and internet service
- Register to vote at your new address
Weighing the Move: Gains and Trade-Offs
What you gain: no sales tax, no tax on wages, lower housing costs, a shorter average commute, and an airport in town.
What you give up: a train to Boston, milder winters, and lower property tax bills than many Massachusetts towns. Public schools also rate lower than in many Boston suburbs.
Boston to Manchester Moving FAQs
Will I save money moving from Boston to Manchester?
Most people save on housing, since Manchester’s median rent is about $1,564 compared with about $2,147 in Boston. Tax savings depend on where you work and what you pay in property tax.
Do I still pay Massachusetts income tax if I live in New Hampshire?
If you work in Massachusetts, Massachusetts generally taxes the wages you earn there. People who work in New Hampshire or remotely see the biggest savings.
How long is the drive from Boston to Manchester?
About an hour on Interstate 93 without traffic. Rush hour can add a lot of time, so a morning start works best for a moving truck.
What is the Millyard in Manchester?
It is a row of old brick textile mills along the Merrimack River. Today the buildings hold tech companies, offices, restaurants, and apartments.
Can I fly out of Manchester instead of Logan?
Yes. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is in the city and offers flights to major hubs, which saves many residents the drive to Logan.
What paperwork do I need after moving to New Hampshire?
You will need to register your car, starting with the city clerk, and switch to a New Hampshire driver’s license. Check the state’s current deadlines when you arrive.
Hire Trusted Movers in Manchester, NH
If you are also considering Nashua, our guide to Boston to Nashua covers that move, and our guide to moving out of Boston shows how New Hampshire compares with other choices. When you are ready to book, our movers in Manchester, NH handle the interstate paperwork, the drive up Interstate 93, and the unloading at your new home.
Stark Moving and Storage is BBB accredited and moves households between Massachusetts and New Hampshire in every season, with packing, storage, crating, and piano moving available. Honesty, transparency, and efficiency guide every job we take on. Call (866) 656-6028 to get an estimate for your move to Manchester.