City Comparison

Antioch vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Antioch

California
147
Expensive
$610,000
Median Home
$2,250/mo
Median Rent
$97,500
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

31.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 31.3%, with New Bedford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to $57,143 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
193
Antioch
116
New Bedford
Groceries
107
Antioch
104
New Bedford
Utilities
156
Antioch
145
New Bedford
Transportation
140
Antioch
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
122
Antioch
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Antioch has the same purchasing power as $57,143 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $98,438 in Antioch.

Living in Antioch vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Antioch's housing index of 193 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $610,000 vs $371,000. The $239,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,250/mo in Antioch compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $1,025.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Antioch and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Antioch 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 156 in Antioch and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $624 in Antioch 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 122 in Antioch and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $97,500 in Antioch and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,327 and $50,893 respectively. Antioch residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,275/month to housing in Antioch vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Antioch, median rent of $2,250/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 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Bedford is 31.3% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,143 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Antioch's housing index is 193 with median homes at $610,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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