New Bedford, MA vs Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield is moderately more affordable than New Bedford, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. New Bedford scores 95 compared to 85 for Pittsfield, 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 New Bedford is $1,085/month compared to $1,094/month in Pittsfield — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Bedford has cheaper rent, Pittsfield actually has lower median home values ($233,700 vs $324,400).

Median household income in New Bedford is $56,025 compared to $68,386 in Pittsfield (-18.1%). Pittsfield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of New Bedford spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, more than the 19.2% in Pittsfield.

Climate-wise, New Bedford is notably warmer with an average of 50.4°F compared to 46.1°F in Pittsfield. New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 44.2" in Pittsfield.