Salary Needed to Live in New Bedford as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $59,535/year to live comfortably in New Bedford, MA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $59,535/year to live comfortably in New Bedford, MA. The bare-minimum salary is $51,267/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,473.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,076/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,961/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$59,535
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$51,267
$4,272/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,076
15% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in New Bedford
| Expense | New Bedford | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $858 | $1,351 | -36% |
| Groceries | $305 | $207 | +47% |
| Utilities | $140 | $169 | -17% |
| Transportation | $278 | $316 | -12% |
| Car Insurance | $186 | $229 | -19% |
| Health Insurance | $676 | $690 | -2% |
| Internet | $64 | $65 | -2% |
| Phone | $83 | $85 | -2% |
| Dining & Social | $294 | $300 | -2% |
| Entertainment | $118 | $120 | -2% |
| Personal Care | $74 | $75 | -1% |
| Total Monthly | $3,076 | $3,607 | -15% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,076
Target savings (10%):$397/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,473
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$59,535
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$858
Studio/1BR rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus MA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$397/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
98/100
New Bedford is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $858/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $633/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $51,267/year as the survival floor and $59,535/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in New Bedford
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in New Bedford?
A single person needs approximately $59,535/year ($4,961/month gross) to live comfortably in New Bedford with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in New Bedford?
A studio/1br in New Bedford costs approximately $858/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is New Bedford affordable for a single person?
Yes, New Bedford is 15% more affordable than the national average for a single person.