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 $2,495 per month in New Bedford, MA vs $3,661 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,239 per month in New Bedford, MA vs $5,544 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,984 per month in New Bedford, MA vs $7,427 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

New Bedford, MA is about 32% 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 86%, Seattle, WA by 173%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.09 $12.09

$25.32 $25.32

-52.25%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.6 $52.6

$121 $121

-56.64%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.21 $12.21

$14.11 $14.11

-13.47%

Cappuccino

$4.38 $4.38

$5.82 $5.82

-24.74%

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

$2.71 $2.71

$2.98 $2.98

-9.06%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.00 $2.00

$2.40 $2.40

-16.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.05 $4.05

$7.73 $7.73

-47.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.89 $5.89

$7.87 $7.87

-25.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$1.34 $1.34

-20.15%

White Bread (500g)

$4.48 $4.48

$4.91 $4.91

-8.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.28 $5.28

$5.14 $5.14

2.72%

Eggs

$4.82 $4.82

$6.57 $6.57

-26.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.93 $17.93

$24.64 $24.64

-27.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.95 $12.95

$15.88 $15.88

-18.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.65 $14.65

$20.14 $20.14

-27.26%

Apples (1kg)

$6.41 $6.41

$6.27 $6.27

2.23%

Banana (1kg)

$1.91 $1.91

$2.86 $2.86

-33.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.01 $6.01

$5.29 $5.29

13.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.04 $6.04

$6.39 $6.39

-5.48%

Potato (1kg)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.21 $3.21

-0.93%

Onion (1kg)

$3.66 $3.66

$3.83 $3.83

-4.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.02 $2.02

$2.74 $2.74

-26.28%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.16 $2.16

$2.58 $2.58

-16.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.26 $14.26

$11.64 $11.64

22.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.92 $11.92

$15.77 $15.77

-24.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.88 $2.88

-39.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$4.39 $4.39

-41.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.76 $2.76

-27.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.44 $28.44

$98.8 $98.8

-71.21%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.47 $5.47

$2.67 $2.67

104.87%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.70 $1.70

19.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.92 $28.92

$29.74 $29.74

-2.76%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 $0.89

$1.14 $1.14

-21.93%

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

$27.7K $27.7K

$32.9K $32.9K

-15.68%

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$26.0K $26.0K

-0.86%

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

$131 $131

$268 $268

-51.17%

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

$52.2 $52.2

$60.9 $60.9

-14.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.74 $44.74

$76.2 $76.2

-41.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.46 $28.46

$78.1 $78.1

-63.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.15 $40.15

Cinema Ticket

$12.08 $12.08

$15.82 $15.82

-23.64%

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

$1,247 $1,247

$2,252 $2,252

-44.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.8K $32.8K

$29.7K $29.7K

10.39%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$34.59 $34.59

$70.8 $70.8

-51.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.09 $37.09

$53.1 $53.1

-30.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.0 $54.0

$117 $117

-53.96%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$100 $100

$139 $139

-27.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,527 $1,527

$2,310 $2,310

-33.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,356 $1,356

$1,849 $1,849

-26.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,669 $1,669

$4,739 $4,739

-64.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,446 $1,446

$3,556 $3,556

-59.34%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,775 $7,775

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,351 $5,351

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,897 $3,897

$6,575 $6,575

-40.73%

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: April 19, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,527 in New Bedford, MA versus $2,310 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 69% 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 $53 in New Bedford, MA versus $121 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $539 – 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: $2,495 in New Bedford, MA, $3,661 in Seattle, WA – roughly 47% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,742 per month in New Bedford, MA and $5,491 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 $1,247 per month in New Bedford, MA and $2,252 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 $2,495 in New Bedford, MA and $3,661 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 $2,495 in New Bedford, MA to $3,661 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.