City Comparison

New Bedford vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Bedford

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

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

27.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.3%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to $58,929 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
116
New Bedford
105
Vienna
Groceries
104
New Bedford
85
Vienna
Utilities
145
New Bedford
98
Vienna
Transportation
108
New Bedford
102
Vienna
Healthcare
118
New Bedford
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $58,929 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $95,455 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs Vienna

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $395,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1080/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $392 in Vienna. 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 Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $54,545 respectively. Vienna 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 27.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,929 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
New Bedford's housing index is 116 with median homes at $371,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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