Juneau vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Juneau
New Bedford
The Verdict
Living in New Bedford costs 13.4% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Juneau, you would need $66,142 in New Bedford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $66,142 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $85,045 in Juneau.
Living in Juneau vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Juneau's housing index of 131 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $524,000 vs $371,000. The $153,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Juneau compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 123 in Juneau and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $584/month in Juneau vs $494/month in New Bedford. New Bedford offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1080/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 140 in Juneau and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $560 in Juneau vs $580 in New Bedford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 151 in Juneau and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $105,000 in Juneau and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,677 and $50,893 respectively. Juneau residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,450/month to housing in Juneau vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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