Cost of Living in New Bedford, MA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $981 (excluding rent), and $2,472 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,570 (excluding rent), and $3,936 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.12 $12.12

$30.31 $30.31

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.7 $51.7

$119 $119

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.10 $12.10

$8.57 $8.57

$15.12 $15.12

Cappuccino

$4.41 $4.41

$2.85 $2.85

$5.96 $5.96

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

$2.71 $2.71

$1.98 $1.98

$2.97 $2.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.48 $1.48

$2.97 $2.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.02 $4.02

$3.01 $3.01

$7.03 $7.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.97 $5.97

$3.98 $3.98

$10.94 $10.94

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.78 $0.78

$1.38 $1.38

White Bread (500g)

$4.28 $4.28

$1.91 $1.91

$6.42 $6.42

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$1.16 $1.16

$15.32 $15.32

Eggs

$4.67 $4.67

$2.34 $2.34

$6.88 $6.88

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.77 $17.77

$15.55 $15.55

$26.66 $26.66

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.93 $12.93

$5.42 $5.42

$26.12 $26.12

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.46 $14.46

$10.99 $10.99

$41.76 $41.76

Apples (1kg)

$6.57 $6.57

$3.95 $3.95

$13.15 $13.15

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.35 $1.35

$2.70 $2.70

Oranges (1kg)

$5.99 $5.99

$3.34 $3.34

$8.89 $8.89

Tomato (1kg)

$5.95 $5.95

$3.24 $3.24

$10.78 $10.78

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$1.30 $1.30

$6.49 $6.49

Onion (1kg)

$3.64 $3.64

$1.80 $1.80

$6.76 $6.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.04 $1.04

$4.09 $4.09

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.01 $1.01

$5.03 $5.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.87 $13.87

$12.88 $12.88

$14.86 $14.86

Wine (Bottle)

$12.10 $12.10

$11.09 $11.09

$25.20 $25.20

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.98 $1.98

$5.95 $5.95

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.28 $1.28

$2.05 $2.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.67 $27.67

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.06 $5.06

$6.08 $6.08

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.10 $2.10

$2.22 $2.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.63 $28.63

$25.90 $25.90

$34.33 $34.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.77 $0.77

$0.92 $0.92

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

$28.2K $28.2K

$23.4K $23.4K

$33.1K $33.1K

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

$24.9K $24.9K

$24.6K $24.6K

$27.6K $27.6K

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

$130 $130

$201 $201

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

$53.7 $53.7

$40.70 $40.70

$107 $107

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$45.63 $45.63

$25.35 $25.35

$91.3 $91.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.31 $29.31

$17.69 $17.69

$50.5 $50.5

Cinema Ticket

$11.84 $11.84

$17.76 $17.76

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

$1,278 $1,278

$504 $504

$2,162 $2,162

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.7K $32.7K

$9,805 $9,805

$49.0K $49.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$34.81 $34.81

$69.6 $69.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.31 $37.31

$23.10 $23.10

$49.36 $49.36

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$53.7 $53.7

$49.11 $49.11

$83.5 $83.5

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.3 $98.3

$49.63 $49.63

$248 $248

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,490 $1,490

$1,192 $1,192

$1,845 $1,845

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,368 $1,368

$1,013 $1,013

$1,520 $1,520

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,667 $1,667

$1,482 $1,482

$1,853 $1,853

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,495 $1,495

$1,267 $1,267

$1,724 $1,724

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,893 $3,893

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.19

6.7

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

Last update: January 10, 2026

New Bedford, MA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

356

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in New Bedford, MA - Frequently Asked Questions

New Bedford offers a gentle balance of coastal charm and practical costs, especially for longer stays. The Cost of Living in New Bedford, MA, United States tends to feel more approachable than larger Northeast hubs, with room to stretch a budget when you select older apartment stock or harbor-area rentals near services. Travelers and digital nomads prize downtown and the West End for walkable cores and shorter commutes, while families seek quieter pockets a bit further inland. Dining and groceries lean on local markets and seasonal produce, keeping daily needs reasonable without sacrificing quality. Tip: Set a simple monthly budget by housing, food, transport, and leisure to spot saving opportunities.

Housing searches here lean toward characterful older buildings in walkable neighborhoods, with harbor and downtown options central to daily life. Look for places a short stroll from groceries, cafes, and parks, which keeps transport needs minimal. For food, you'll enjoy seafood spots, farmers markets, and affordable casual meals that suit a nomad schedule. Public transit covers the essentials, ferries offer weekend escapes, and many areas are bike-friendly. Co-working spaces exist with flexible day passes and reliable Wi-Fi. New Bedford, MA, United States living cost considerations help you plan weekly errands and shopping routes. Tip: Build a simple weekly plan that allocates time and money to housing, food, transport, and activities.

Quality of life here blends coastal charm with practical routines that suit different rhythms. If you're deciding where to settle, try a month in a few neighborhoods, Downtown, the West End, and the North End each offer a distinct feel and access to shops, parks, and the waterfront. Seasonality matters for crowds and costs, with summers bringing events and outdoor markets. A simple budgeting framework works well: prioritize housing and utilities first, then groceries and transport, with a flexible line for leisure. Local batches of events, seafood tastings, and community gatherings can stretch a modest budget and deepen your sense of place. Tip: Build a neighborhood shortlist based on walkability and access to the things you value most.