City Comparison

New Bedford vs Singapore

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Bedford

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

Singapore

Singapore
112
Above Average
$950,000
Median Home
$2,500/mo
Median Rent
$58,000
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in New Bedford costs 0.0% less than Singapore. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $75,000 in Singapore.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
116
New Bedford
165
Singapore
Groceries
104
New Bedford
98
Singapore
Utilities
145
New Bedford
105
Singapore
Transportation
108
New Bedford
95
Singapore
Healthcare
118
New Bedford
72
Singapore

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Singapore.

Conversely, $75,000 in Singapore equals $75,000 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs Singapore

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Singapore's 165, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $950,000. The $579,000 difference in home prices means roughly $37,632 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $2,500/mo in Singapore, a monthly difference of $1,275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 98 in Singapore. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $466/month in Singapore. Singapore 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 105 in Singapore. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $420 in Singapore. 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 72 in Singapore. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 46-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 $58,000 in Singapore. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $51,786 respectively. Singapore 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 $1,353/month in Singapore. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Singapore, median rent of $2,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Bedford is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Singapore, based on the cost of living difference.
New Bedford's housing index is 116 with median homes at $371,000, while Singapore's is 165 with median homes at $950,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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