New Bedford, MA vs Waltham, MA

The cost of living difference between New Bedford, MA and Waltham, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 42.1% cheaper than Waltham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. New Bedford has a cost index of 95 while Waltham sits at 164, 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 $2,232/month in Waltham — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $705,700.

Median household income in New Bedford is $56,025 compared to $116,560 in Waltham (-51.9%). While Waltham 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 23% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.4°F vs 50.5°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 42.6" in Waltham.