City Comparison

Denton vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

3.6%

Denton is 3.6% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $77,778 in New Bedford to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
116
New Bedford
Groceries
98
Denton
104
New Bedford
Utilities
90
Denton
145
New Bedford
Transportation
87
Denton
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
81
Denton
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $77,778 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $72,321 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $371,000. The $14,000 difference in home prices means roughly $912 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Denton and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton 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 81 in Denton and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 37-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $50,893 respectively. Denton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/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 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 108 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,778 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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