New Bedford vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Youngstown
The Verdict
Youngstown is 36.6% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $54,911 in Youngstown 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 $54,911 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $102,439 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $102,000. The $269,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,484 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $466/month in Youngstown. Youngstown offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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