City Comparison

Greenville vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Greenville

South Carolina
95
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,912
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Greenville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Greenville has equivalent purchasing power to $88,421 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Greenville
116
New Bedford
Groceries
98
Greenville
104
New Bedford
Utilities
96
Greenville
145
New Bedford
Transportation
97
Greenville
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
103
Greenville
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Greenville has the same purchasing power as $88,421 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $63,616 in Greenville.

Living in Greenville vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Greenville's housing index of 85 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $371,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Greenville compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Greenville and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Greenville 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 103 in Greenville and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,912 in Greenville and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,486 and $50,893 respectively. Greenville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,141/month to housing in Greenville vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Greenville, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greenville is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Greenville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,421 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Greenville's housing index is 85 with median homes at $250,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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