City Comparison

New Bedford vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Bedford

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.5%

Living in Stockholm costs 15.5% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $64,955 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
116
New Bedford
118
Stockholm
Groceries
104
New Bedford
92
Stockholm
Utilities
145
New Bedford
88
Stockholm
Transportation
108
New Bedford
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
118
New Bedford
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $64,955 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $86,598 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $445,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $352 in Stockholm. 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 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $51,546 respectively. Stockholm 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 15.5% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,955 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
New Bedford's housing index is 116 with median homes at $371,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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