City Comparison

Gresham vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

14.3%

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

Housing
172
Gresham
116
New Bedford
Groceries
101
Gresham
104
New Bedford
Utilities
96
Gresham
145
New Bedford
Transportation
126
Gresham
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
103
Gresham
118
New Bedford

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

New Bedford is 14.3% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,625 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Gresham's housing index is 172 with median homes at $459,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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