New Bedford vs St. Louis

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 St. Louis.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $93,333 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs St. Louis

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $175,000. The $196,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,744 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $461/month in St. Louis. St. Louis 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 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $380 in St. Louis. 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 95 in St. Louis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $50,869 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 $1,068/month in St. Louis. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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