City Comparison

New Bedford vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Bedford

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

Peoria

Illinois
76
Very Affordable
$164,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$58,700
Median Income

The Verdict

47.4%

Living in Peoria costs 47.4% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $50,893 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
116
New Bedford
42
Peoria
Groceries
104
New Bedford
97
Peoria
Utilities
145
New Bedford
103
Peoria
Transportation
108
New Bedford
108
Peoria
Healthcare
118
New Bedford
107
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $50,893 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $110,526 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs Peoria

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $164,000. The $207,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,452 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $412 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 107 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $77,237 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 $1,370/month in Peoria. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria is 47.4% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,893 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
New Bedford's housing index is 116 with median homes at $371,000, while Peoria's is 42 with median homes at $164,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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