New Bedford, MA vs Quincy, MA

The cost of living difference between New Bedford, MA and Quincy, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 35.9% cheaper than Quincy, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. New Bedford has a cost index of 95 while Quincy sits at 148, 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 $1,998/month in Quincy — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $598,100.

Median household income in New Bedford is $56,025 compared to $95,711 in Quincy (-41.5%). While Quincy 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 25.1% in Quincy.

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