Is Manchester a Good Place To Live?

Manchester is an evolving and vibrant metropolis that has won the hearts of many. As a culture hub renowned for its nightlife, food scene, and friendly community, this charming northern city offers plenty of reasons to call it home.

Located in North West England, near the countryside with a range of options to suit every taste on the entertainment front, Manchester is an accessible and bustling city. Whether you’re considering a city move or researching the best location on the outskirts, here’s our guide to the pros and cons of living in Manchester.

Table of Contents

• Pros of living in Manchester

• Cons of living in Manchester

• Is Manchester a good place to live?

• Frequently asked questions

Pros of living in Manchester

Affordable city living costs

City living is undoubtedly more expensive than life in a small town or by the seaside, but the perks of Manchester put you in the heart of the action. 

The cost of living in Manchester can be affordable and varies based on your requirements, the area you choose to live in and property size. This city suits every budget, from newbie homeowners to those looking to downsize.

Considering the growth in popularity, the cost of living in Manchester is competitive and rising, but it was recently named in Time Out as one of the most affordable cities in the world. 

According to Expatistan, the cost of living in Manchester is 35% cheaper than in London. Of course, it’s different for every personal situation, lifestyle and location, but ClassiAds estimated the costs taking all outgoings into account here:

Rental prices in Manchester are 46.2% cheaper than those in London, with figures from Numbeo showing the northern city to be 19.3% cheaper than the capital on the whole. 

From a property perspective, you can expect Manchester to be relatively in line with the national average, according to Rightmove and Zoopla data obtained from HM Land Registry:

Job opportunities

With its growing popularity, the northern powerhouse offers a thriving job scene, with many of the biggest brands in the world operating out of Manchester. 

Working in the city offers varied industries, from finance, law and hospitality to marketing, advertising and entertainment. Whether you’re looking to sink your teeth into a startup or join one of the UK’s leading brands, Manchester has many opportunities to make your own.

As a competitive market, you’ll experience a combination of eager entrepreneurs, established traditional industry leaders and successful food businesses like Rudy’s Pizza, which started in Ancoats, Manchester, back in 2015.

One of Manchester’s greatest advocates is, of course, Mayor Andy Burnham, who is passionate about growing the job market there: 

The city’s culture

The dynamic city is alive, day and night, with an endless list of things to see, do and experience. From an eclectic food scene with street food, coffee shops and restaurants to an electric nightlife bubble, hospitality-wise, you’ll be in the right place to have fun. 

Manchester has a buzz about it like no other city, with its vibrant city centre, theatre shows, gig venues, museums and many other attractions.

Aside from the activities on tap, the people of Manchester give the city its friendly name. You’ll come across a community of welcoming folk and an inclusive environment with a small-town feel in a big city.

Public transport connections

Getting around Manchester is a breeze with its practical public transport connections, including the buses and trams that make up the Bee Network. 

The city has two primary national rail stations to transport you across the UK, various local stations to navigate yourself around the city and beyond and multiple tram lines. The Bee Network is due its next phase of improvements after government funding, which will bring trains into the brand and create an all-electric local public transport network: 

Central location

Living in Manchester means you’re in the centre of the action, and everything is within reach. From world-famous music venues like Co-op Live and Albert Hall, Michelin-star restaurants like Skof and two of the most iconic football teams in the world in Manchester United and Manchester City, you’re never far away from a great day out.

Manchester is also near four national parks, being nestled into the North West beside the beautiful Peak District, so a glimpse of the countryside isn’t too far away.

Flying off on holiday is also convenient, with easy access to Manchester Airport. Known as the biggest and busiest in the UK outside of London, you’ll have your selection of tropical destinations and European cities to choose from.

Did you know? Manchester Airport handled a record 30.8 million passengers in 2024

Set up for cyclists

In the past, Manchester wasn’t an accessible place for cycling commuters because of the shortage of cycle lanes, but the city has recently invested in cycling infrastructure to make this possible, with more lanes and safer routes to cycle around. You can get your daily dose of vitamin D on the commute rather than stick to traditional transport methods (if you can catch that elusive Manchester sun, that is).

Read more: The Top 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Manchester

Cons of living in Manchester

Lower salaries

Manchester may be the up-and-coming place to live, with plenty of job opportunities and a cultural hub to be proud of, but salaries can be slightly lower than in other cities, especially compared to the capital. 

The average salary for full-time employees in Manchester is £34,462 a year, according to a recent report from the Manchester Evening News. This number was up by 5.3% year-on-year, but still below the national average of £37,430, as reported in ONS figures in April 2024.

The weather

The UK is undoubtedly rainy, with cold and wet days the norm. In Manchester, especially, the weather is frequently grey and drizzling, and blue-sky days aren’t too common. But the weather doesn’t mean living in Manchester is gloomy, as the locals make the most of the rainy days and invest in a good umbrella.

The traffic

For any city, preparation for traffic is key, especially in rush hour, and Manchester is no exception. The trams, for example, are usually heaving in rush hour, and getting a seat is tricky. Cars, buses and trains are similar when commuting or travelling in peak periods.

Is Manchester a good place to live?

When you weigh up the pros and cons, there are many areas to consider for your lifestyle, career and future financial goals. Whether you’re thinking of purchasing your first property in the area, gaining your Master’s at one of the city’s universities or relocating your family, life in Manchester has something for everyone.

The city offers many high points, providing an easily accessible, fun place to live with job prospects, a sense of community and a central location to travel as much as you please. If you want to move and you fancy something different, a Manchester property may be the answer.

Some property types have actually gone down in their average cost of sale over the past 12 months, with data from Home.co.uk showing that flats in particular dropped by 23% to £171,168 in the year to June 2025: 

Overall, Manchester can provide you with plenty of options for a new, exciting and prosperous home, especially before it gains even more popularity.

If you’re considering the move to Manchester and looking to sell your current property, we buy property for cash, no matter where you are based. As leading cash buyers with an excellent rating, we offer a quick property sale experience and handle everything from start to completion, including solicitor costs.

We offer the flexibility to choose a completion date with a minimum of seven days, absolutely free and hassle-free. Get in touch with our team today and see how we can help you sell your property fast.

Frequently Asked Questions