Kent vs New Bedford

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $61,314 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $91,741 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $371,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent 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 92 in Kent and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent 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 122 in Kent and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $50,893 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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