City Comparison

Amarillo vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amarillo

Texas
74
Very Affordable
$195,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$58,500
Median Income

New Bedford

Massachusetts
112
Above Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$57,000
Median Income

The Verdict

33.9%

Living in Amarillo costs 33.9% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $113,514 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
59
Amarillo
116
New Bedford
Groceries
92
Amarillo
104
New Bedford
Utilities
94
Amarillo
145
New Bedford
Transportation
75
Amarillo
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
104
Amarillo
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $113,514 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $49,554 in Amarillo.

Living in Amarillo vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $371,000. The $176,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,436 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $494/month in New Bedford. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo 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 104 in Amarillo and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,500 in Amarillo and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $50,893 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/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 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo is 33.9% more affordable overall with an index of 74 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $113,514 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Amarillo's housing index is 59 with median homes at $195,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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