Minneapolis vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Minneapolis
New Bedford
The Verdict
Minneapolis is 5.4% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Minneapolis would need approximately $79,245 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 Minneapolis has the same purchasing power as $79,245 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $70,982 in Minneapolis.
Living in Minneapolis vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Minneapolis's housing index of 112 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $371,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Minneapolis compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Minneapolis and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Minneapolis 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 105 in Minneapolis and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $64,285 in Minneapolis and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,646 and $50,893 respectively. Minneapolis residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,500/month to housing in Minneapolis vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/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 Utilities, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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