Dayton vs New Bedford

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $105,000 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $53,571 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $371,000. The $236,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,336 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $494/month in New Bedford. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton 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 114 in Dayton 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 $43,500 in Dayton and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $50,893 respectively. Dayton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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