Chelsea, MA vs New Bedford, MA

The cost of living difference between Chelsea, MA and New Bedford, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 41.1% cheaper than Chelsea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chelsea has a cost index of 134 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 Chelsea is $1,859/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $476,500.

Median household income in Chelsea is $72,220 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+28.9%). The higher salaries in Chelsea partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chelsea spend roughly 30.9% of their income on rent, more than the 23.2% in New Bedford. The New Bedford ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.4°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Chelsea.