New Bedford, MA vs Somerville, MA

The cost of living difference between New Bedford, MA and Somerville, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 49.2% cheaper than Somerville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. New Bedford has a cost index of 95 while Somerville sits at 187, 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 $2,468/month in Somerville — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $899,400.

Median household income in New Bedford is $56,025 compared to $127,056 in Somerville (-55.9%). While Somerville 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 23.3% in Somerville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.4°F vs 51.9°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Somerville.