Gresham vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gresham
New Bedford
The Verdict
Living in New Bedford costs 14.3% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gresham, you would need $65,625 in New Bedford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $65,625 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $85,714 in Gresham.
Living in Gresham vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $371,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham 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 96 in Gresham and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham 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 Gresham 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 $69,600 in Gresham and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $50,893 respectively. Gresham residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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