New Bedford vs Seoul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Seoul
The Verdict
Seoul is 36.6% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $54,911 in Seoul 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 $54,911 in Seoul.
Conversely, $75,000 in Seoul equals $102,439 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Seoul
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Seoul's 115, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $520,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,100/mo in Seoul, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 88 in Seoul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $418/month in Seoul. Seoul offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 68 in Seoul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $272 in Seoul. 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 52 in Seoul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 66-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 $38,000 in Seoul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $46,341 respectively. New Bedford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in New Bedford vs $887/month in Seoul. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Seoul, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases