City Comparison
Manchester vs Norwalk
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
Norwalk
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manchester is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manchester's average rent is
34% lower than Norwalk's.
| Metric | Manchester | Norwalk | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $2,350 | -34% |
| Groceries | $420 | $520 | -19% |
| Utilities | $175 | $210 | -17% |
| Transport | $115 | $140 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $280 | -14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $3,500 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 128 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 15% 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 $72,000 in Norwalk.
| Metric | Manchester | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $84,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 65,625 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $98,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Manchester sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 53.60°F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | 82.40°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 24.70°F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | 19.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 250 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manchester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
Norwalk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Norwalk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Manchester | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norwalk is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Manchester.
From a growth perspective, Manchester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Manchester | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 91,184 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.00% |
| 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.
Norwalk
Advantages
Direct Metro-North commuter rail access to Grand Central Terminal in New York City
Thriving coastal lifestyle with extensive boating, marina, and beach access along Long Island Sound
Vibrant downtown SoNo district featuring diverse dining, arts, and the Maritime Aquarium
Robust local economy anchored by healthcare, professional services, and corporate headquarters
High educational attainment and strong public community engagement initiatives
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses significantly exceed the national average
Heavy commuter traffic congestion along the Interstate 95 and Route 7 corridors
Competitive real estate market with high median home purchase prices
High local property and state tax burdens typical of Fairfield County
Moderate car dependency in outer residential neighborhoods outside the urban core
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
Norwalk
#495Connecticut, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
72
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