City Comparison
Manchester vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manchester is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manchester's average rent is
40% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | Manchester | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $2,600 | -40% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $3,600 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milford offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Manchester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Manchester is estimated at
$58,000 vs $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | Manchester | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Manchester sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manchester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Milford.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Manchester | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manchester is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Milford.
From a growth perspective, Manchester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Manchester | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manchester
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents are more affordable compared to neighboring Hartford suburbs like Glastonbury and West Hartford per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the popular Case Mountain hiking and conservation area.
Strong commuter accessibility via direct access to Interstate 84 and Interstate 384.
Rich historical identity anchored by the Cheney Brothers Silk Historic District.
Major commercial and retail hub status featuring the Buckland Hills shopping district.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Hartford County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Certain major commuter corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Public transit options outside of primary bus lines are somewhat limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Winters bring substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the New England region.
Older housing stock in historic districts may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
Milford
Advantages
Milford features 17 miles of scenic coastline, including the popular Silver Sands State Park and multiple public beaches per city records.
The median household income in Milford stands at a robust $110,669 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
Crime rates in Milford remain significantly below the national average, making it one of New Haven County's safer communities.
The Metro-North commuter rail station provides direct, seamless access to New Haven, Stamford, and New York City.
Over 88% of local adults surveyed by DataHaven report that their neighborhood is an exceptional place to raise children.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,600 is significantly higher than the national average, straining affordability for mid-income renters.
High property demand and limited housing inventory make purchasing a single-family home highly competitive and expensive.
Interstate 95 through the coastal corridor experiences heavy rush-hour congestion and bottlenecks.
The median age of 46.6 years indicates a relatively older demographic base, with fewer young working-age singles.
Property taxes in Connecticut can create a heavy financial burden for long-term homeowners.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Manchester
#387Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
Milford
#380Connecticut, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
82
Business
70
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