Cost of Living Comparison Between New Bedford, MA and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between New Bedford, MA and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,507 per month in New Bedford, MA vs $3,604 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,232 per month in New Bedford, MA vs $5,549 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,956 per month in New Bedford, MA vs $7,494 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

New Bedford, MA is about 30% cheaper than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both New Bedford, MA and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – New Bedford, MA by 88%, Seattle, WA by 170%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.76 $11.76

$24.78 $24.78

-52.54%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.0 $51.0

$122 $122

-58.08%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.15 $12.15

$14.02 $14.02

-13.34%

Cappuccino

$4.38 $4.38

$5.56 $5.56

-21.22%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 $2.76

$3.05 $3.05

-9.51%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.39 $2.39

-12.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.90 $3.90

$7.94 $7.94

-50.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.90 $5.90

$8.09 $8.09

-27.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.38 $1.38

-25.36%

White Bread (500g)

$4.36 $4.36

$4.95 $4.95

-11.92%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.23 $5.23

$5.35 $5.35

-2.24%

Eggs

$4.84 $4.84

$6.59 $6.59

-26.56%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.50 $17.50

$24.87 $24.87

-29.63%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.89 $12.89

$15.92 $15.92

-19.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$20.21 $20.21

-29.39%

Apples (1kg)

$6.46 $6.46

$6.17 $6.17

4.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.76 $2.76

-29.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.86 $5.86

$5.38 $5.38

8.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.96 $5.96

$6.52 $6.52

-8.59%

Potato (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.21 $3.21

1.56%

Onion (1kg)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.75 $3.75

-7.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.84 $2.84

-28.17%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.62 $2.62

-16.03%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.04 $14.04

$11.69 $11.69

20.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.99 $14.99

$15.46 $15.46

-3.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.83 $2.83

-37.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$4.25 $4.25

-40.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.76 $2.76

-29.35%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.15 $28.15

$97.8 $97.8

-71.21%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.38 $5.38

$2.60 $2.60

106.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.00 $2.00

$1.65 $1.65

21.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.06 $29.06

$29.77 $29.77

-2.38%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 $0.90

$1.14 $1.14

-21.05%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.3K $28.3K

$33.1K $33.1K

-14.74%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.9K $24.9K

$25.9K $25.9K

-3.88%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$128 $128

$270 $270

-52.67%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.5 $53.5

$59.7 $59.7

-10.29%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$45.26 $45.26

$74.3 $74.3

-39.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.22 $29.22

$77.7 $77.7

-62.40%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.03 $41.03

Cinema Ticket

$12.04 $12.04

$15.78 $15.78

-23.70%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,262 $1,262

$2,279 $2,279

-44.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$33.1K $33.1K

$29.8K $29.8K

11.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$34.54 $34.54

$69.8 $69.8

-50.54%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.51 $38.51

$52.3 $52.3

-26.31%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.8 $54.8

$117 $117

-53.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.8 $97.8

$143 $143

-31.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,512 $1,512

$2,332 $2,332

-35.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,338 $1,338

$1,899 $1,899

-29.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,696 $1,696

$4,756 $4,756

-64.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,460 $1,460

$3,472 $3,472

-57.96%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,709 $7,709

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,983 $4,983

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,865 $4,865

$6,641 $6,641

-26.75%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.42

-0.62%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New Bedford, MA: July 21, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: July 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,512 in New Bedford, MA versus $2,332 in Seattle, WA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 37% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in New Bedford, MA versus $122 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $541 – making New Bedford, MA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

New Bedford, MA vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,507 in New Bedford, MA, $3,604 in Seattle, WA – roughly 44% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,761 per month in New Bedford, MA and $5,407 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New Bedford, MA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $1,262 per month in New Bedford, MA and $2,279 in Seattle, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 21% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,507 in New Bedford, MA and $3,604 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,507 in New Bedford, MA to $3,604 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with New Bedford, MA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.