College Station vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
New Bedford
The Verdict
College Station is 22.3% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in College Station would need approximately $96,552 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 College Station has the same purchasing power as $96,552 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $58,259 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $371,000. The $57,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $494/month in New Bedford. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station 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 90 in College Station and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $50,900 in College Station and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $50,893 respectively. College Station residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/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 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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