New Bedford, MA vs Woburn, MA

The cost of living difference between New Bedford, MA and Woburn, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 39.7% cheaper than Woburn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. New Bedford has a cost index of 95 while Woburn sits at 158, 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 $2,190/month in Woburn — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $641,800.

Median household income in New Bedford is $56,025 compared to $107,754 in Woburn (-48%). While Woburn 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 24.4% in Woburn.