Milwaukee vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Milwaukee
New Bedford
The Verdict
Milwaukee is 17.9% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Milwaukee would need approximately $91,304 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 Milwaukee has the same purchasing power as $91,304 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $61,607 in Milwaukee.
Living in Milwaukee vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Milwaukee's housing index of 80 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $371,000. The $196,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,744 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Milwaukee compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Milwaukee and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Milwaukee 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 97 in Milwaukee and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Milwaukee 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 102 in Milwaukee and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $44,044 in Milwaukee and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,874 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 $1,028/month to housing in Milwaukee vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/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 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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