Aurora vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Aurora
New Bedford
The Verdict
New Bedford is 10.7% less expensive than Aurora overall. A household earning $75,000 in Aurora would need approximately $67,742 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 Aurora has the same purchasing power as $67,742 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $83,036 in Aurora.
Living in Aurora vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $371,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora 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 87 in Aurora and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora 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 119 in Aurora 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 $84,300 in Aurora and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 and $50,893 respectively. Aurora residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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