Ann Arbor vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Ann Arbor
New Bedford
The Verdict
New Bedford is 1.8% less expensive than Ann Arbor overall. A household earning $75,000 in Ann Arbor would need approximately $73,684 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 Ann Arbor has the same purchasing power as $73,684 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $76,339 in Ann Arbor.
Living in Ann Arbor vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Ann Arbor's housing index of 135 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $371,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Ann Arbor compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Ann Arbor vs $494/month in New Bedford. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Ann Arbor and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Ann Arbor 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 101 in Ann Arbor and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $65,024 in Ann Arbor and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,039 and $50,893 respectively. Ann Arbor residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Ann Arbor vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Ann Arbor, median rent of $1,600/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 Utilities, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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