New Bedford vs Riverside
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Riverside
The Verdict
New Bedford is 12.5% less expensive than Riverside overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $85,714 in Riverside 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 New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $85,714 in Riverside.
Conversely, $75,000 in Riverside equals $65,625 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Riverside
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Riverside's 155, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $500,000. The $129,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,800/mo in Riverside, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 103 in Riverside. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $489/month in Riverside. 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 111 in Riverside. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $444 in Riverside. 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 102 in Riverside. 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 $57,000 in New Bedford and $67,068 in Riverside. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $52,397 respectively. Riverside 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 $1,565/month in Riverside. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Riverside, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases