City Comparison

New Bedford vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Bedford

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

Round Rock

Texas
101
Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$100,500
Median Income

The Verdict

10.9%

Living in Round Rock costs 10.9% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $67,634 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
116
New Bedford
92
Round Rock
Groceries
104
New Bedford
96
Round Rock
Utilities
145
New Bedford
109
Round Rock
Transportation
108
New Bedford
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
118
New Bedford
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $67,634 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $83,168 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $413,000. The $42,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,736 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $436 in Round Rock. 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 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock 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 $2,345/month in Round Rock. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 10.9% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,634 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
New Bedford's housing index is 116 with median homes at $371,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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