Medford, MA vs New Bedford, MA

The cost of living difference between Medford, MA and New Bedford, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 81.4% cheaper than Medford, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Medford has a cost index of 172 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 Medford is $2,477/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 128% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $715,500.

Median household income in Medford is $118,089 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+110.8%). While Medford is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Medford spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

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 Medford.