New Bedford vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Peoria
The Verdict
Living in New Bedford costs 0.9% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $75,670 in Peoria.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $75,670 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $74,336 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Peoria
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $495,000. The $124,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,064 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $466/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $424 in Peoria. 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 118 in New Bedford and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,000 in New Bedford and $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in New Bedford vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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