Are you searching for an affordable place to live in Massachusetts? You might be surprised to find that the least expensive city isn’t a faraway rural town, but instead, it’s a lively coastal city with a lot of history and culture.
Here, we’ll explain why New Bedford is the most budget-friendly city in Massachusetts and what it provides for its residents.
The Cheapest Place to Live in Massachusetts is New Bedford
New Bedford is the least expensive city in Massachusetts, where the typical home is valued at $364,427, and the unemployment rate is 7.7%.
Situated by the coast in Bristol County, New Bedford has around 95,000 residents. It has a fascinating history as a whaling and textile manufacturing hub, and it’s home to the largest fishing fleet in the country.
The city has a lively arts and culture scene, featuring attractions like the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Zeiterion Theatre, and the New Bedford Art Museum.
New Bedford’s growth has been influenced by its proximity to Providence, RI. The city has also invested in enhancing its infrastructure, education, and public safety, making it a more appealing place to live and work.
There are various housing options in New Bedford, ranging from historic homes to modern apartments, and the cost of living is lower than the state average.
While New Bedford is the most affordable city in Massachusetts, there are other affordable cities as well. According to a study by NewHomeSource, Palmer Town, North Adams, Pittsfield, Chicopee, and Westfield are also among the cities with favorable home prices compared to income, property tax, and median household income.
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Cheapest Place to Live in Tennessee
Comparison of New Bedford and other Massachusetts Cities
| About New Bedford | |
| Population | 95,000 |
| Median home value | $364,427 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.70% |
| Violent crime rate | 9.8 per 1,000 residents |
| Property crime rate | 35.2 per 1,000 residents |
| Poverty rate | 21.30% |
| Graduation rate | 76.00% |
About 95,000 people live in the coastal city of New Bedford in Bristol County.It is home to the biggest fishing fleet in the nation and has a long history as a whaling port and a textile manufacturing hub.
With attractions like the Zeiterion Theatre, the New Bedford Art Museum, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum, it also has a thriving arts and culture scene.
With a 7.7% unemployment rate and a median property value of $364,427, New Bedford is the least expensive city in Massachusetts. In addition to offering a range of housing alternatives, from modern apartments to historic homes, it has a cheaper cost of living than the state average.
But New Bedford also has to deal with issues like poverty, crime, and education.With a violent crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 35.2 per 1,000 residents, it was rated as the third most dangerous city in Massachusetts.
In addition, its poverty rate of 21.3% is higher than the 9.4% average for the state.The graduation rate from the city’s public schools is 76%, which is less than the 88% average for the state.
However, New Bedford is not the only reasonably priced city in Massachusetts. Other communities were ranked in the NewHomeSource study according to their property tax, median household income, and home price to income ratio.Westfield, Palmer Town, North Adams, Pittsfield, and Chicopee are a few other cities that made the list.
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Cheapest Place to Live in Alaska
To Conclude
New Bedford is known as the most budget-friendly city in Massachusetts, but it has more to offer than just affordability. With its interesting history, lively arts scene, and close proximity to Providence, it has a unique charm. However, it faces challenges like poverty, crime, and education issues that need ongoing attention.
The key to New Bedford’s future is finding a balance between its economic appeal and addressing social and educational needs.
If you’re looking for an exciting coastal city with a lower cost of living, New Bedford is transforming, but it’s important to be aware of the realities and challenges. Whether it’s the right fit for you depends on your priorities and your readiness to deal with its complexities.
