New Bedford, MA vs Newton, MA

The cost of living difference between New Bedford, MA and Newton, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 54.7% cheaper than Newton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. New Bedford has a cost index of 95 while Newton sits at 210, 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 New Bedford is $1,085/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in New Bedford is $56,025 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-69.7%). While Newton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of New Bedford spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.4°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 45.9" in New Bedford.