Duluth vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
New Bedford
The Verdict
Duluth is 24.1% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $98,824 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 Duluth has the same purchasing power as $98,824 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $56,920 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $371,000. The $103,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,696 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth 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 94 in Duluth and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth 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 123 in Duluth 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 $68,800 in Duluth and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $50,893 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/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 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases