Methuen Town, MA vs New Bedford, MA

The cost of living difference between Methuen Town, MA and New Bedford, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 32.8% cheaper than Methuen Town, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Methuen Town has a cost index of 126 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 Methuen Town is $1,610/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $472,200.

Median household income in Methuen Town is $103,270 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+84.3%). While Methuen Town is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Methuen Town spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 50.4°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 40.9" in Methuen Town.