City Comparison

Bellevue vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

41.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 41.1%, with New Bedford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $53,165 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
116
New Bedford
Groceries
111
Bellevue
104
New Bedford
Utilities
100
Bellevue
145
New Bedford
Transportation
134
Bellevue
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $53,165 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $105,804 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $371,000. The $930,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60,456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $1,300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $494/month in New Bedford. New Bedford offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue 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 120 in Bellevue 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 $169,200 in Bellevue and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $50,893 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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

New Bedford is 41.1% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,165 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases