Holyoke, MA vs New Bedford, MA

Holyoke is moderately more affordable than New Bedford, with a 9.4% lower cost of living index. Holyoke scores 86 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 Holyoke is $1,016/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Holyoke is more affordable at $255,300 median vs $324,400.

Median household income in Holyoke is $51,892 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (-7.4%). The higher salaries in New Bedford partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Holyoke spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more 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 Holyoke.