New Bedford, MA vs Peabody, MA

The cost of living difference between New Bedford, MA and Peabody, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 33.4% cheaper than Peabody, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. New Bedford has a cost index of 95 while Peabody sits at 143, 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 $1,902/month in Peabody — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $566,200.

Median household income in New Bedford is $56,025 compared to $95,278 in Peabody (-41.2%). While Peabody 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, less than the 24% in Peabody.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.4°F vs 49.9°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 44.9" in Peabody.