New Bedford vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 24.4% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $60,268 in Scranton 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 $60,268 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $93,333 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Scranton
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $195,000. The $176,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,436 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $408 in Scranton. 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 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $55,000 respectively. Scranton 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 $1,155/month in Scranton. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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