Rent vs buy in New Bedford, MA
In New Bedford, Massachusetts, the typical rent is $1,811 /mo, while a typical home costs $439,098.
Over 7 years, renting comes out ahead by $40k.
At New Bedford's typical rent and typical home value, the math runs on 20% down and the current mortgage rate. The break-even point arrives in year 14.
An opinion, clearly labeled, with the math shown. These figures are estimates, not quotes. Any change to a number changes the stamp.
- Ahead on renting
- $40k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- year 14 when owning catches up
- Owning's true cost
- $3,960 /mo year 1, against $1,811 rent
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The stamp draws on New Bedford's typical rent and the typical home value. You can reverse the result with your rent, price and years.
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In New Bedford, is renting or buying cheaper?
Over 7 years, renting costs $40,467 less, including the money you get back when you sell. For the first 13 years, renting is cheaper. By year 14, owning catches up.
Rent option. Buy option. Net cost accumulated to date, year by year.
Comparing average rent and mortgage payments in New Bedford
The rent and mortgage payment leave out some expenses. Every monthly cost in year 1 is shown at New Bedford's typical price.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,811 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $2,394 | $2,110 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $443 | 1.21% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $145 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $366 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $3,348 | $284 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $714 | The annual return on that cash: 8.3% |
| Buying costs, spread out | $183 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $3,960 | Subtract the equity part from cash out, then add the two lines above. |
The numbers behind New Bedford's verdict
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $439,098
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $1,811 /mo
- Down payment20% avoids private mortgage insurance, which the engine does not model
- 20%
- Mortgage rateFreddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (FRED MORTGAGE30US)
- 7.24%
- Home price growthFHFA house price index, Massachusetts, 1995 to 2025
- 5.1% a year
- Rent growthCPI rent of primary residence, yearly growth 2006 to 2026
- 3.5% a year
- Return on savings60% S&P 500 with dividends and 40% 10-year Treasuries, rebalanced yearly, 1928 to 2025
- 8.3% a year
- Property taxCensus ACS 2020-2024, New Bedford
- 1.21% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, New Bedford
- $145 /mo
- MaintenanceFannie Mae, low end of 1% to 4%
- 1% of value a year
- Buying costsFreddie Mac, middle of 2% to 5%
- 3.5% of price
- Selling costsAgent commission plus closing costs
- 6% of price
What would change the New Bedford result?
With every other factor held steady, each line shows when New Bedford's 7-year verdict changes.
When renting wins
- Home prices rise by less than 6.2% a year, based on Massachusetts's long-run rate of 5.1%.
- The mortgage rate remains above 5.60%.
- For a home like this, monthly rent is less than $2,240 (typical here: $1,811).
- Before year 14, you move.
When buying wins
- Annual home price growth runs above 6.2%.
- You secure a mortgage rate under 5.60% (today's is 7.24%).
- The monthly rent for the same home would exceed $2,240.
- You remain there for 14 years or more.
New Bedford compared with the other 812 cities
| Measure | New Bedford | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $439,098 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $1,811 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 20.2 (#327 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 7.7% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Property tax | 1.21% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 60% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
Other Massachusetts cities
- For Lowell, MA, rent wins by $9k.