Akron OH vs New Bedford MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Akron
56.1%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 100,731 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 56.1% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 29.4% | 6.0% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.5% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 16.8% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $439,767 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 40.0% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Akron +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 22.0% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.1% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 21.4% | Akron + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.8°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 51.9 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 27.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA