New Bedford vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Roswell
The Verdict
Living in New Bedford costs 0.9% less than Roswell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $75,670 in Roswell.
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 Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $74,336 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Roswell
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $647,000. The $276,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,940 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $480/month in Roswell. 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 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $392 in Roswell. 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 103 in Roswell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $96,283 respectively. Roswell 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 $2,539/month in Roswell. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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