The cost of living: Here's where New Bedford ranks based on survey
NEW BEDFORD − In the city of New Bedford, residents pay $366 more per year for their household bills than the United States average.
Home to one of the nation’s largest commercial fishing fleets, New Bedford is one of the state’s 26 Gateway Cities, a midsize urban center that anchors regional economies around the state.
A recent study by doxo, a company that tries to simplify how consumers pay bills, ranks New Bedford 138th among 154 Massachusetts cities and towns surveyed as the most expensive for household expenses.
According to the report, the average household in New Bedford spends an average of $2,077 per month on bills, which is 1.5% higher than the national average.
How much do New Bedford residents pay for bills yearly?
In New Bedford, the average household pays $24,923 per year on bills.
Household bills account for 51 percent of an annual household income of $73,707.
The report analyzed household expenditures on mortgage or rent; auto loans; utilities (electricity, gas, water and sewer, waste and recycling); auto insurance; cable, internet and phone; health insurance (consumer contributions only); mobile phone; alarm and security; and life insurance.
What are the most expensive and least expensive cities in Massachusetts?
It may not be too surprising that Boston is the most expensive city in Massachusetts with an average household expense of $3,962 a month, or 57% of the average household income.
In North Adams, the city with the lowest monthly bill, the average household expense is $1,650, or 42 percent of the average household income.
Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kgallreporter.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford residents pay $366 more than other Americans, survey says
