Braintree Town, MA vs New Bedford, MA

The cost of living difference between Braintree Town, MA and New Bedford, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 55.9% cheaper than Braintree Town, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Braintree Town has a cost index of 148 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 Braintree Town is $1,925/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $623,200.

Median household income in Braintree Town is $125,305 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+123.7%). While Braintree 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 Braintree Town spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 50.4°F). Braintree Town receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 45.9" in New Bedford.