Cost of Living in New Bedford, MA is
11.6% Higher
than the National Average

Did the Cost of Living in New Bedford, MA increase in 2024? New Bedford, MA area prices were up 1.6% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About New Bedford, Massachusetts    New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Massachusetts's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $15 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in New Bedford, MA

Cost of Living Calculator



Cost of Living in other Major Cities

City, State Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA Compared to national average
+ 86.5%
City, State Washington, DC Compared to national average
+ 45.2%
City, State Miami, FL Compared to national average
+ 15.4%
City, State Chicago, IL Compared to national average
+ 12.4%
City, State Boston, MA Compared to national average
+ 53.1%
City, State New York, NY Compared to national average
+ 77.0%
City, State Dallas, TX Compared to national average
+ 7.0%

Cost of Living New Bedford, MA by Expense Category

Category Compared to national average
CategoryEnergy Compared to national average
+ 16.6%
CategoryFood Compared to national average
-16.1%
CategoryHealthcare Compared to national average
+ 33.7%
CategoryHousing Compared to national average
+ 3.4%
CategoryTransportation Compared to national average
-5.1%

Cost of Living Comparison with New Bedford, MA

If you move to New Bedford from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.


Move From Move To Cost Of Living Comparison
Move FromSan Francisco, CA Move ToNew Bedford, MA Cost Of Living Comparision
-74.9%
Move FromWashington, DC Move ToNew Bedford, MA Cost Of Living Comparision
-33.5%
Move FromMiami, FL Move ToNew Bedford, MA Cost Of Living Comparision
-3.7%
Move FromChicago, IL Move ToNew Bedford, MA Cost Of Living Comparision
-0.8%
Move FromBoston, MA Move ToNew Bedford, MA Cost Of Living Comparision
-41.5%
Move FromNew York, NY Move ToNew Bedford, MA Cost Of Living Comparision
-65.4%
Move FromDallas, TX Move ToNew Bedford, MA Cost Of Living Comparision
+ 4.6%

Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:
If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!
If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.


About New Bedford, MA

New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts. New Bedford is nicknamed "The Whaling City" because during the 19th century, the city was one of the most important whaling ports in the world, along with Nantucket, Massachusetts and New London, Connecticut. The city, along with Fall River and Taunton, make up the three largest cities in the South Coast region of Massachusetts and is known for its fishing fleet and accompanying seafood producing industries ...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia


Comments about the Cost of Living in New Bedford, MA

I love to be able to eat at restaurants and try different foods, if I include that along with groceries in my overall cost of living, how would I do in New Bedford, MA?

In New Bedford, Massachusetts going out to eat at a restaurant and buying food is considered to be affordable. Make sure you take this into account as you plan your overall cost of living in New Bedford, MA. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

I love to go to sports events, what does New Bedford, Massachusetts have to offer?

New Bedford, MA does not have a major sports team, but don’t worry, check out local colleges and high school sports schedules. These games usually have very cheap tickets and the spirit and enthusiasm of the crowd often makes up for the level of skill. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

How much is the average price of internet in New Bedford, MA?

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

I am nervous about moving, what is the typical cost of moving to another city and what should I have to think about?

The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. This price can vary a lot if the distance is greater and depending on how much is being moved. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Make sure you budget for these types of expenses and include them in the first year’s cost of living at your new location. Finally, although there is no dollar cost, is the stress of moving, which will increase if you have children or pets. Make sure you prepare in advance for what additional TLC those kids and pets will need to have a good move. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

Electricity bills are a big part of my current cost of living and can be really high, what is the cost of electricity in New Bedford, Massachusetts?

The current electric rate cost in New Bedford,MA is 18.56¢ / kWh, which is the fourth highest compared to the rest of the United States. Energy costs in New Bedford,MA are generally going up. The cost of electricity can have a bigger than average impact of your overall cost of living if you are required to pay heating or cooling costs or, if you use an electric stove, clothes dryer, or water heater. Newer appliances are typically more energy efficient so try to replace out dated appliances with more energy efficient models. Also keep in mind, that if electric utilities are included in your rent, most likely the pricing of electricity has been added to the rent amount. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

What kind of child care is available in New Bedford, Massachusetts and what is the cost?

It is difficult to exactly predict the cost of child care in any city, which for parents, is a large part of the cost of living. There are different arrangements and lengths of time that are needed to care for a child, and costs may vary a lot depending on the services provided. Based on the state average, for New Bedford child care for a child up to 3 years could cost $17062 per year. Massachusetts is ranked NO. 2 in annual cost of child care in the U.S. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

How do rental housing prices in New Bedford,Massachusetts impact the overall cost of living?

In New Bedford,MA, my friend pays $1900 for a large 2 bedroom apartment. Since he has 2 children, he needs to have a large apartment. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

What can you do for free in New Bedford, MA?

Looks for areas of New Bedford, Massachusetts where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for New Bedford, MA to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

How does New Bedford, Massachusetts compare to the rest of U.S. as far as all the taxes that will affect my cost of living?

The overall tax ranking for New Bedford, Massachusetts, which is based on a composite of state wide taxes including income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, insurance taxes, and business taxes is in the middle compared to the rest of the United States. This overall tax profile can definitely impact your cost of living in New Bedford, MA. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

Can you save money using public transport?

You could save up to $1,000 per year, depending on your location, by using public transport instead of driving. Not only will you reduce the stress of driving and finding a place to park once you reach your destination, your car and tires will last longer, and you will spend less on gas. A side benefit is that you may be able to relax, work, or read on the way to work, or get to know and chat with other commuters. Some employers offer employees reduced fee bus or transit passes, so check that out with your employer. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-10-25 salary.com )

See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay

Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.

See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay

Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.


Last Update: 2024-10-25