Fort Worth vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth
New Bedford
The Verdict
Living in Fort Worth costs 15.2% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth, you would need $88,421 in New Bedford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $88,421 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $63,616 in Fort Worth.
Living in Fort Worth vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $371,000. The $101,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,564 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $494/month in New Bedford. Fort Worth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Fort Worth and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth 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 100 in Fort Worth and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,187 in Fort Worth and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $50,893 respectively. Fort Worth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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