salaryRent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. Most households rent (60%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,000 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 24 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in New Bedford?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in New Bedford
| Size | New Bedford | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $928 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $925 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,305 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,377 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,629 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is New Bedford overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for New Bedford, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in New Bedford
Life in New Bedford
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in New Bedford?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $954 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $357,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,730 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in New Bedford, MA?
Renting in New Bedford costs a median of about $1,525 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in New Bedford?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,000 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is New Bedford cheap or expensive?
New Bedford is rated OK: rent takes 29.8% of the typical household income of $61,454. It ranks 24th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in New Bedford?
The median homeowner in New Bedford pays $4,338 a year in property taxes, about 1.21% of the median home value.
Is New Bedford more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in New Bedford?
The median home value in New Bedford is $357,300, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
100,998 people live in New Bedford. Numbers are typical (middle) values.