Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in New Bedford, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.7% of gross income.
New Bedford rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).
About rent and an auto mechanic salary
Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than New Bedford, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Bedford
View full rent data for New Bedford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in New Bedford, MA?
Median rent in New Bedford is $1,916 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Massachusetts earns about $59,473 a year, which makes that rent 38.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in New Bedford?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Massachusetts (~$59,473/yr) supports up to $1,487 a month in rent. New Bedford's current median rent is $1,916/mo, which is $429/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in New Bedford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, an auto mechanic in Massachusetts works roughly 67 hours a month to cover New Bedford's median rent of $1,916.
Where is rent cheaper than New Bedford for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Westfield ($1,910/mo), Leominster ($1,908/mo), Boxboro ($1,906/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.