Bedford, KY vs New Castle, KY

Bedford, KY and New Castle, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Bedford scores 65 while New Castle scores 66 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bedford is $865/month compared to $704/month in New Castle — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Castle has cheaper rent, Bedford actually has lower median home values ($81,100 vs $151,500).

Median household income in Bedford is $33,750 compared to $33,833 in New Castle (-0.2%). New Castle does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Bedford spend roughly 30.8% of their income on rent, more than the 25% in New Castle. The New Castle ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.