Barnstable Town, MA vs New Bedford, MA

The cost of living difference between Barnstable Town, MA and New Bedford, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 43.3% cheaper than Barnstable Town, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barnstable Town has a cost index of 136 while New Bedford sits at 95, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Barnstable Town is $1,751/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $559,200.

Median household income in Barnstable Town is $97,348 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+73.8%). While Barnstable Town is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barnstable Town spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.5°F vs 50.4°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 44.7" in Barnstable Town.