Arlington vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
New Bedford
The Verdict
New Bedford is 46.4% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $51,220 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 Arlington has the same purchasing power as $51,220 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $109,821 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $371,000. The $369,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $1,125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington 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 102 in Arlington and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington 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 117 in Arlington 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 $145,000 in Arlington and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $50,893 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 133 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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