New Bedford vs Sioux Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Sioux Falls
The Verdict
Sioux Falls is 20.4% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $62,277 in Sioux Falls 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 $62,277 in Sioux Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $90,323 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Sioux Falls
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $265,000. The $106,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,888 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 Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $376 in Sioux Falls. 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 101 in Sioux Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $66,359 respectively. Sioux Falls 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 $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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