New Bedford vs Vancouver
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Vancouver
The Verdict
New Bedford is 8.2% less expensive than Vancouver overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $81,696 in Vancouver 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 $81,696 in Vancouver.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $68,852 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Vancouver
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $525,000. The $154,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,008 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $494/month in Vancouver. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $348 in Vancouver. 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 103 in Vancouver. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $65,000 respectively. Vancouver 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 $1,850/month in Vancouver. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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