New Bedford vs Tulsa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Tulsa
The Verdict
Living in Tulsa costs 31.8% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $56,920 in Tulsa.
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 $56,920 in Tulsa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tulsa equals $98,824 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Tulsa
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Tulsa's 63, 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 $950/mo in Tulsa, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 95 in Tulsa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $451/month in Tulsa. Tulsa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 92 in Tulsa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $368 in Tulsa. 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 91 in Tulsa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-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 $48,278 in Tulsa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $56,798 respectively. Tulsa 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 $1,126/month in Tulsa. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Tulsa, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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