New Bedford vs Worcester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Worcester
The Verdict
New Bedford is 10.4% less expensive than Worcester overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $83,705 in Worcester 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 $83,705 in Worcester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $67,200 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Worcester
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $340,000. The $31,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,016 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $504/month in Worcester. 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 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $488 in Worcester. 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 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,000 in New Bedford and $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $41,782 respectively. New Bedford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in New Bedford vs $1,219/month in Worcester. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases