Amsterdam vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amsterdam
New Bedford
The Verdict
Living in Amsterdam costs 4.5% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $78,505 in New Bedford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $78,505 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $71,652 in Amsterdam.
Living in Amsterdam vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $371,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $494/month in New Bedford. Amsterdam offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam 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 90 in Amsterdam and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $50,893 respectively. Amsterdam residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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