City Comparison

Concord vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

North Carolina
96
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$86,900
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

14.3%

Concord is 14.3% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $87,500 in New Bedford to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
116
New Bedford
Groceries
97
Concord
104
New Bedford
Utilities
97
Concord
145
New Bedford
Transportation
92
Concord
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
104
Concord
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $87,500 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $64,286 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $371,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $494/month in New Bedford. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord 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 Concord 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 $86,900 in Concord and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $50,893 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,028/month to housing in Concord vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/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 Utilities, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 14.3% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,500 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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