Abilene vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
New Bedford
The Verdict
Abilene is 28.6% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $105,000 in New Bedford to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $105,000 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $53,571 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $371,000. The $192,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,480 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $494/month in New Bedford. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $580 in New Bedford. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $50,893 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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