New Bedford vs Wichita
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Wichita
The Verdict
Wichita is 33.3% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $56,250 in Wichita 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 $56,250 in Wichita.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wichita equals $100,000 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Wichita
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Wichita's 62, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $165,000. The $206,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,392 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $900/mo in Wichita, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 95 in Wichita. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $451/month in Wichita. Wichita 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 93 in Wichita. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $372 in Wichita. 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 92 in Wichita. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $52,428 in Wichita. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $62,414 respectively. Wichita 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 $1,223/month in Wichita. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Wichita, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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