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City Report · MA

New Bedford

Pop. 100,998·97th most expensive in Massachusetts·Rental market data updated monthly for New Bedford, MA
Median rent (all units)
$1,916/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$49
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
New Bedford · $1,916
More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
61/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what New Bedford's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,916/mo
Expected by trend
$2,027/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where New Bedford's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,030
1 BR
$1,120
2 BR
$1,380
3 BR
$1,660
4 BR+
$1,990
Research median
$1,380/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,992/yr
At $1,916/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (3.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.4% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

New Bedford, MA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 17% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
100,998
Median income
$56,981
Median age
37
Renters
59.7%
Age distribution
23.9%
23.1%
26.3%
15.4%
Under 1823.9%
18–3423.1%
35–5426.3%
55–6411.4%
65+15.4%
Gender
50.8%
49.2%
Male50.8%
Female49.2%
Race & ethnicity
56.1%
25.8%
White56.1%
Black5.3%
Hispanic25.8%
Asian1.3%
Other11.6%
Education (25+)
23.3%
34.7%
25%
17%
No HS diploma23.3%
HS diploma34.7%
Some college25%
Bachelor's+17%
Housing tenure
40.3%
59.7%
Owner40.3%
Renter59.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How New Bedford, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,420 → $1,916
up 34.9%
Income
$50,581 → $56,981
up 12.7%
Population
100,309 → 100,998
up 0.7%
Renter share
60.9% → 59.7%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
17% → 17%
+0.0 pts
Median age
36.5 → 37
+0.5 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in New Bedford, MA has climbed from $1,420 to $1,916, a 34.9% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $50,581 in 2021 to $56,981 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the New Bedford, MA market of 2022.

Community

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View New Bedford rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in New Bedford on your salary?

At $1,916/mo, how New Bedford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

New Bedford rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in New Bedford. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in New Bedford

About renting in New Bedford, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in New Bedford is $1,916/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,030/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,660/mo.

At 40% of local median household income ($56,981/yr), New Bedford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is New Bedford an affordable city for renters?

New Bedford is considered moderate for renters. At $1,916/mo, rent takes approximately 40% of the local median household income ($56,981/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. New Bedford slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in New Bedford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,916/mo in New Bedford. The local median household income is $56,981/yr, meaning the typical New Bedford household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in New Bedford?

Rent in New Bedford has increased 3.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which New Bedford neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in New Bedford are 02746 ($1,850/mo), and 02740 ($1,977/mo). Citywide, the median rent in New Bedford is $1,916/mo.

How does New Bedford rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

New Bedford is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #97 out of 107 tracked cities at $1,916/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than New Bedford?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than New Bedford ($1,916/mo): Fairhaven ($1,800/mo), Fall River ($1,811/mo).

What percentage of New Bedford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.7% of New Bedford households are renters, while 40.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, New Bedford has a strong rental market.

How does New Bedford rent compare to the national average?

New Bedford's median rent of $1,916/mo is $49 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #97 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
40%
MODERATE

At $1,916/mo, rent takes ~40% of New Bedford's median household income ($56,981/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

New Bedford 40%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the New Bedford affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in New Bedford
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near New Bedford, MA

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