City Comparison

Nampa vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

New Bedford

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

The Verdict

6.2%

Living in Nampa costs 6.2% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Nampa, you would need $80,000 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
116
New Bedford
Groceries
105
Nampa
104
New Bedford
Utilities
83
Nampa
145
New Bedford
Transportation
113
Nampa
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
102
Nampa
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $80,000 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $70,313 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $371,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa 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 83 in Nampa and 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa 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 Nampa 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 $74,300 in Nampa and $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $50,893 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Nampa, 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 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 6.2% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,000 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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