New Bedford vs Toledo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Toledo
The Verdict
Living in Toledo costs 45.5% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $51,563 in Toledo.
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 $51,563 in Toledo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $109,091 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Toledo
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $128,000. The $243,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,792 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $466/month in Toledo. Toledo 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 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $368 in Toledo. 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 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $54,805 respectively. Toledo 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 $985/month in Toledo. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases