City Comparison

New Bedford vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Bedford

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

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

21.7%

Living in Yuma costs 21.7% less than New Bedford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Bedford, you would need $61,607 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
116
New Bedford
82
Yuma
Groceries
104
New Bedford
101
Yuma
Utilities
145
New Bedford
102
Yuma
Transportation
108
New Bedford
97
Yuma
Healthcare
118
New Bedford
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $61,607 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $91,304 in New Bedford.

Living in New Bedford vs Yuma

Housing Costs

New Bedford's housing index of 116 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $284,000. The $87,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,652 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford vs $408 in Yuma. 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 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 and $58,804 respectively. Yuma 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 21.7% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in New Bedford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,607 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
New Bedford's housing index is 116 with median homes at $371,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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