Fitchburg, MA vs New Bedford, MA

Fitchburg, MA and New Bedford, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Fitchburg scores 95 while New Bedford scores 95 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 Fitchburg is $1,131/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Bedford has cheaper rent, Fitchburg actually has lower median home values ($295,500 vs $324,400).

Median household income in Fitchburg is $70,659 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+26.1%). Fitchburg offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fitchburg spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.9°F vs 50.4°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.4" in Fitchburg.