City Comparison

New Bedford vs Pompano Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Bedford

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

Pompano Beach

Florida
111
Above Average
$349,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$67,200
Median Income

The Verdict

0.9%

Pompano Beach is 0.9% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $74,330 in Pompano Beach to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
116
New Bedford
133
Pompano Beach
Groceries
104
New Bedford
104
Pompano Beach
Utilities
145
New Bedford
105
Pompano Beach
Transportation
108
New Bedford
111
Pompano Beach
Healthcare
118
New Bedford
93
Pompano Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $74,330 in Pompano Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pompano Beach equals $75,676 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs Pompano Beach

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Pompano Beach's 133, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $349,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,750/mo in Pompano Beach, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 104 in Pompano Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $494/month in Pompano Beach. 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 145 in New Bedford and 105 in Pompano Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $420 in Pompano Beach. 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 93 in Pompano Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $67,200 in Pompano Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $60,541 respectively. Pompano Beach 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 $1,568/month in Pompano Beach. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Pompano Beach, median rent of $1,750/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pompano Beach is 0.9% more affordable overall with an index of 111 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,330 in Pompano Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
New Bedford's housing index is 116 with median homes at $371,000, while Pompano Beach's is 133 with median homes at $349,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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