Manchester, TN vs Oak Ridge, TN

Manchester is moderately more affordable than Oak Ridge, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Manchester scores 77 compared to 84 for Oak Ridge, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oak Ridge can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Manchester is $897/month compared to $1,076/month in Oak Ridge — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Manchester is more affordable at $215,700 median vs $233,500.

Median household income in Manchester is $55,019 compared to $71,000 in Oak Ridge (-22.5%). While Oak Ridge is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Manchester spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Oak Ridge.