City Comparison

Beaumont vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

Texas
78
Very Affordable
$166,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$57,000
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

30.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 30.4%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $107,692 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
116
New Bedford
Groceries
96
Beaumont
104
New Bedford
Utilities
102
Beaumont
145
New Bedford
Transportation
93
Beaumont
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $107,692 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $52,232 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $371,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $494/month in New Bedford. Beaumont offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Beaumont and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont 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 104 in Beaumont and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,000 in Beaumont and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $50,893 respectively. Beaumont residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in Beaumont vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/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 Utilities, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 30.4% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $107,692 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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