New Bedford vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 34.9% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $55,580 in Waco 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 $55,580 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $101,205 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Waco
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $230,000. The $141,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,168 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $451/month in Waco. Waco 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 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $388 in Waco. 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 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $59,639 respectively. Waco 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 $1,155/month in Waco. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/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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