Chicopee, MA vs New Bedford, MA

Chicopee is moderately more affordable than New Bedford, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Chicopee scores 89 compared to 95 for New Bedford, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of New Bedford can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chicopee is $1,108/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Bedford has cheaper rent, Chicopee actually has lower median home values ($251,800 vs $324,400).

Median household income in Chicopee is $66,927 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+19.5%). Chicopee offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chicopee spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 50.4°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 45.2" in Chicopee.