Moving from Manchester, NH to Worcester, MA
Moving from Manchester, NH to Worcester, MA covers 67 mi and about 1h 32m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
67 mi · 1h 32m by car · MA → NH
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → NH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 3, I 495, I 290 |
| Major cities en route | Cambridge, Boston, Lowell |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Worcester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 102.523 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 155.206 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 113.001 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Manchester (105.657) and Worcester (102.523) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $435,334 vs $430,112 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Worcester +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Manchester | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 13°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 81°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | 72.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 48.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 72.9 in of snowfall annually at Worcester.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 205,501 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $67,544 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Worcester is 3.0% below Manchester ($77,415 → $67,544, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Moving between New Hampshire and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather — check NH 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Worcester averages 72.9 in annually vs 52.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Massachusetts after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Worcester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,544 in Worcester vs $77,415 in Manchester — a 12.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Manchester to Worcester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 67 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Worcester compared to Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $430,112 in Worcester vs $435,334 in Manchester — a 1.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Worcester more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Worcester is 3.0% lower than Manchester (102.523 vs 105.657, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Worcester, MA from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 67 mi and the route typically takes 1h 32m via US 3 and I 495. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Manchester and Worcester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.1°F in Worcester vs 47.4°F in Manchester (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 72.9 in vs 52.8 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 42.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH · Worcester, MA.