Laredo vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Laredo
New Bedford
The Verdict
Laredo is 26.8% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Laredo would need approximately $102,439 in New Bedford to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $102,439 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $54,911 in Laredo.
Living in Laredo vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Laredo's housing index of 81 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $371,000. The $181,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $494/month in New Bedford. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo 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 77 in Laredo and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 41-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $63,900 in Laredo and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $50,893 respectively. Laredo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,491/month to housing in Laredo vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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