Charlestown, MD vs Manchester, MD

Manchester is moderately more affordable than Charlestown, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Charlestown scores 112 compared to 105 for Manchester, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Charlestown can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Charlestown is $1,548/month compared to $1,329/month in Manchester — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Manchester is more affordable at $351,500 median vs $361,300.

Median household income in Charlestown is $109,650 compared to $112,679 in Manchester (-2.7%). Manchester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Charlestown spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, more than the 14.2% in Manchester.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.2°F vs 52.4°F). Charlestown receives more rainfall at 47.1" per year compared to 42.1" in Manchester.