City Comparison

Mexico City vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Mexico City

Mexico
40
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$575/mo
Median Rent
$13,500
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

64.3%

Living in Mexico City costs 64.3% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Mexico City, you would need $210,000 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
28
Mexico City
116
New Bedford
Groceries
42
Mexico City
104
New Bedford
Utilities
30
Mexico City
145
New Bedford
Transportation
35
Mexico City
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
25
Mexico City
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Mexico City has the same purchasing power as $210,000 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $26,786 in Mexico City.

Living in Mexico City vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Mexico City's housing index of 28 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $371,000. The $216,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,040 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $575/mo in Mexico City compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 42 in Mexico City and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $200/month in Mexico City vs $494/month in New Bedford. Mexico City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3528/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 30 in Mexico City and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $120 in Mexico City 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 25 in Mexico City and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 93-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $13,500 in Mexico City and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,750 and $50,893 respectively. New Bedford residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $315/month to housing in Mexico City vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Mexico City, median rent of $575/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 115 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mexico City is 64.3% more affordable overall with an index of 40 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Mexico City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $210,000 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Mexico City's housing index is 28 with median homes at $155,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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