City Comparison

Concord vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

New Hampshire
100
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$84,900
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

10.7%

Concord is 10.7% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $84,000 in New Bedford to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Concord
116
New Bedford
Groceries
101
Concord
104
New Bedford
Utilities
110
Concord
145
New Bedford
Transportation
93
Concord
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
113
Concord
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $84,000 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $66,964 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 110 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $371,000. The $31,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,016 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Concord compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Concord and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Concord 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 110 in Concord and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 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 113 in Concord 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 $84,900 in Concord and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $84,900 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 $1,981/month to housing in Concord vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/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 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 10.7% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,000 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 110 with median homes at $340,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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