Montgomery vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
New Bedford
The Verdict
Montgomery is 29.5% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montgomery would need approximately $106,329 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 Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $106,329 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $52,902 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $371,000. The $209,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,584 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery 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 115 in Montgomery and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery 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 78 in Montgomery and 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 40-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,800 in Montgomery and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $50,893 respectively. Montgomery residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/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 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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