😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,597 in Manchester versus $2,519 in Andover.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,791 in Manchester versus $3,522 in Andover.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,985 in Manchester versus $4,526 in Andover.
🌍Living in Manchester is roughly 3% more expensive than in Andover, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Manchester89% above, Andover83% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manchester
Andover
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.25£14.98
$12.94£9.57
56.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$95.3£70.5
$41.27£30.53
130.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.72£7.93
$10.97£8.11
-2.28%
Cappuccino
$4.86£3.60
$4.92£3.64
-1.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69£1.99
$1.98£1.46
35.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76£1.30
$1.52£1.12
15.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.08£5.98
$4.49£3.32
79.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.97£5.15
$5.74£4.25
21.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manchester
Andover
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.50£1.11
$1.80£1.33
-16.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.93£1.43
$1.64£1.21
17.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.01£1.49
$1.97£1.46
2.03%
Eggs
$3.84£2.84
$4.18£3.09
-8.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.26£6.85
$12.16£8.99
-23.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.80£6.51
$8.72£6.45
0.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.51£12.21
$15.21£11.26
8.55%
Apples(1kg)
$3.11£2.30
$3.54£2.62
-12.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54£1.14
$1.72£1.27
-10.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.02£2.23
$2.68£1.99
12.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.51£2.60
$3.05£2.25
15.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.50£1.11
$1.77£1.31
-15.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.32£0.98
$1.33£0.98
-0.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30£0.96
$1.27£0.94
2.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.23£0.91
$1.74£1.28
-29.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$24.43£18.08
$22.58£16.71
8.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.96£8.11
$11.06£8.18
-0.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.47£1.83
$2.77£2.05
-10.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26£2.42
$1.99£1.47
63.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Manchester
Andover
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.66£1.97
$3.47£2.57
-23.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$106£78.7
$49.08£36.31
116.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.51£3.33
$5.06£3.74
-10.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.23£1.65
$3.28£2.43
-32.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$30.69£22.70
$42.24£31.25
-27.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09£1.55
$1.96£1.45
6.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.8K£29.4K
$36.7K£27.2K
8.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.8K£30.2K
$41.2K£30.5K
-1.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manchester
Andover
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$304£225
$345£255
-12.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.90£12.50
$17.90£13.24
-5.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.38£29.87
$44.96£33.26
-10.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manchester
Andover
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.1£40.76
$45.07£33.34
22.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.59£13.75
$9.60£7.10
93.65%
Cinema Ticket
$13.65£10.10
$15.13£11.19
-9.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manchester
Andover
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,287£952
$2,324£1,720
-44.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$20.5K£15.1K
$16.0K£11.8K
28.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manchester
Andover
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.8£69.4
$87.8£65.0
6.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.08£31.87
$47.88£35.42
-10.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.4£72.8
$96.1£71.1
2.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108£80.2
$66.3£49.06
63.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manchester
Andover
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,833£1,356
$1,469£1,087
24.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,269£939
$1,324£979
-4.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,134£2,319
$1,901£1,406
64.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,028£1,501
$2,041£1,510
-0.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,007£3,704
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,739£3,506
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manchester
Andover
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,318£2,455
$3,028£2,240
9.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.13
4.25
20.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manchester: August 31, 2026
Last update for Andover: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,833 in Manchester and $1,469 in Andover. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Manchester pays 10% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $95.0 in Manchester vs $41.00 in Andover. Groceries flip the comparison at $301 vs $313, with Manchester cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Manchester vs Andover: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Manchester and in Andover?
Manchester and Andover differ by about 3% in total monthly costs ($2,597 vs $2,519 including rent). Andover is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Manchester or Andover?
Average pay runs 10% higher in Manchester, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Manchester and in Andover?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,833 in Manchester versus $1,469 in Andover. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manchester or Andover?
All in, you'll spend $2,597 per month in Manchester versus $2,519 in Andover – a 3% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Manchester and in Andover?
A monthly transit pass in Andover runs roughly 117% less than in Manchester. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,519 in Andover versus $2,597 in Manchester, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Andover but tight or insufficient in Manchester. The gap between the two cities makes Andover the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Manchester and Andover?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Manchester or Andover safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Manchester and Andover are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Manchester or Andover?
Expats usually find Andover gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3% less than in Manchester. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Manchester vs other spots: cost of living compared